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A  LIST  OF  THE  ELSIE  BOOKS  AND 
OTHER  POPULAR  BOOKS 

BY 

MARTHA    FINLEY 


"ELSIE  'DINSMORE. 

ELSIE'S  HOLIDAYS  AT  ROSELANDS. 
ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

ELSIE'S  WOMANHOOD. 
ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

ELSIE'S  CHILDREN. 
'ELSIE'S  WIDOWHOOD. 
GRANDMOTHER  ELSIE. 

ELSIE'S  NEW  RELATIONS. 
ELSIE  AT  NANTUCKET. 
THE  TWO  ELSIES. 

ELSIE'S  KITH  AND  KIN. 
'ELSIE'S  FRIENDS  AT  WOODBURN. 
CHRISTMAS  WITH  GRANDMA  ELSIE. 
ELSIE  AND  THE  RAYMONDS. 
ELSIE  YACHTING  WITH  THE  RAYMONDS. 
ELSIE'S  VACATION. 

ELSIE  AT  VIAMEDE. 
'ELSIE  AT  ION. 

ELSIE  AT  THE  WORLD'S  FAIR. 
ELSIE'S  JOURNEY  ON  INLAND  WATERS. 
ELSIE  AT  HOME. 
ELSIE  ON  THE  HUDSON. 
ELSIE  IN  THE  SOUTH. 
ELSIE'S  YOUNG  FOLKS. 
ELSIE'S  WINTER  TRIP. 
ELSIE  AND  HER  LOVED  ONES. 


MILDRED  KEITH. 

MILDRED  AT  ROSELANDS. 
MILDRED'S  MARRIED  LIFE. 
MILDRED  AND  ELSIE. 
MILDRED  AT  HOME. 

MILDRED'S  BOYS  AND  GIRLS. 
MILDRED'S  NEW  DAUGHTER. 


'CASELLA. 

SIGNING  THE  CONTRACT  AND  WHAT  IT  COST 
THE  TRAGEDY  OF  WILD  RIVER  VALLEY. 
OUR  FRED. 

AN  OLD-FASHIONED  BOY. 
WANTED,  A  PEDIGREE. 

THE  THORN  IN  THE  NEST. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD 

A  SEQUEL  TO 

"ELSIE  DINSMORE"  AND  "ELSIE'S  HOLI- 
DAYS AT  ROSELANDS" 

BY 

MARTHA  FINLEY 


'Oh!  time  of  promise,  hope,  and  innocence, 
Of  trust,  and  love,  and  happy  ignorance ! 
Whose  every  dream  is  heaven,  in  whose  fair  joy 
Experience  yet  has  thrown  no  black  alloy." 

—THOUGHTS  OF  A  RECLUSE 


NEW  YORK 

DODD,  MEAD  AND  COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 


>>»PWaeHT,  1872,  BY  DODD,  MBAJJ  is  Conuwv. 


PEEFACE. 


SOME  years  have  now  elapsed  since  my  little 
heroine  "  ELSIE  DINSMORE  "  made  her  debut  into 
the  great  world.  She  was  sent  out  with  many  an 
anxious  thought  regarding  the  reception  that 
might  await  her  there.  But  she  was  kindly  wel- 
comed, and  such  has  been  the  favor  shown  her 
ever  since  that  Publishers  and  Author  have  felt 
encouraged  to  prepare  a  new  volume  in  which  will 
be  found  the  story  of  those  years  that  have  carried 
Elsie  on  from  childhood  to  womanhood — the 
years  in  which  her  character  was  developing,  and 
mind  and  body  were  growing  and  strengthening 
for  the  real  work  and  battle  of  life. 

May  my  readers  who  have  admired  and  loved 
her  as  a  child  find  her  still  more  charming  in  her 
fresh  young  girlhood;  may  she  prove  to  all  a  pleas- 
ant companion  and  friend;  and  to  those  of  them 
now  treading  the  same  portion  of  life's  pathway 
a  useful  example  also,  particularly  in  her  filial 
love  and  obedience. 

M.  F. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 


CHAPTER   I. 

It  is  a  busy,  talking  world. 

— HOWE. 

"I  THINK  I  shall  enjoy  the  fortnight  we  are 
to  spend  here,  papa;  it  seems  such  a  very  pleas- 
ant place/'  Elsie  remarked,  in  a  tone  of  great 
satisfaction. 

"  I  am  glad  you  are  pleased  with  it,  daughter/' 
returned  Mr.  Dinsmore,  opening  the  morning 
paper,  which  John  had  just  brought  up. 

They — Mr.  Dinsmore  and  Elsie,  Rose  and  Ed- 
ward Allison — were  occupying  very  comfortable 
quarters  in  a  large  hotel  at  one  of  our  fashion- 
able watering-places.  A  bedroom  for  each,  and  a 
private  parlor  for  the  joint  use  of  the  party,  had 
been  secured  in  advance,  and  late  the  night  be- 
fore they  had  arrived  and  taken  possession. 

It  was  now  early  in  the  morning,  Elsie  and  her 
papa  were  in  his  room,  which  was  in  the  second 
story  and  opened  upon  a  veranda,  shaded  by  tall 
trees,  and  overlooking  a  large  grassy  yard  at  the 
side  of  the  building.  Beyond  were  green  fields, 
woods,  and  hills. 

"  Papa,"    said   Elsie,    gazing   longingly   upon 


2  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

them,  as  she  stood  by  the  open  window,  "  can'i 
we  take  a  walk?" 

"  When  Miss  Rose  is  ready  to  go  with  us." 

"May  I  run  to  her  door  and  ask  if  she  is? — 
and  if  she  isn't,  may  I  wait  for  her  out  here  on 
the  veranda?" 

"Yes." 

She  skipped  away,  but  was  back  again  almost 
immediately.  "Papa,  what  do  you  think?  It's 
just  too  bad! " 

"  What  is  too  bad,  daughter?  I  think  I  never 
before  saw  so  cross  a  look  on  my  little  girl's  face," 
he  said,  peering  at  her  over  the  top  of  his  news- 
paper. "  Come  here,  and  tell  me  what  it  is  all 
about." 

She  obeyed,  hanging  her  head  and  blushing. 
"I  think  I  have  some  reason  to  be  cross,  papa," 
she  said;  "  I  thought  we  were  going  to  have  such 
a  delightful  time  here,  and  now  it  is  all  spoiled. 
You  could  never  guess  who  has  the  rooms  just 
opposite  ours;  on  the  other  side  of  the  hall." 

"Miss  Stevens?" 

"  Why,  papa;  did  you  know  she  was  here?  " 

"  I  knew  she  was  in  the  house,  because  I  saw 
her  name  in  the  hotel  book  last  night  when  I 
went  to  register  ours." 

"  And  it  just  spoils  all  our  pleasure." 

"  I  hope  not,  daughter.  I  think  she  will  hardly 
annoy  you  when  you  are  close  at  my  side;  and 
that  is  pretty  much  all  the  time,  isn't  it?  " 

"Yes,  papa,  and  I'll  stick  closer  than  ever  to 
you  if  that  will  make  her  let  me  alone,"  she  cried, 
with  a  merry  laugh,  putting  her  arm  round  his 
neck  and  kissing  him  two  or  three  times. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  3 

"  Ah,  now  I  have  my  own  little  girl  again,"  He 
said,  drawing  her  to  his  knee  and  returning  her 
caresses  with  interest.  "  But  there,  I  hear  Miss 
Hose's  step  in  the  hall.  Eun  to  mammy  and  have 
your  hat  put  on." 

Miss  Stevens'  presence  proved  scarcely  less 
annoying  to  Elsie  than  the  child  had  anticipated. 
She  tried  to  keep  out  of  the  lady's  way,  but  it  was 
quite  impossible.  She  could  scarcely  step  out  on 
the  veranda,  go  into  the  parlor,  or  take  a  turn  in 
the  garden  by  herself,  but  in  a  moment  Miss 
Stevens  was  at  her  side  fawning  upon  and  flatter- 
ing her — telling  her  how  sweet  and  pretty  and 
amiable  she  was,  how  dearly  she  loved  her,  and 
how  much  she  thought  of  her  papa  too:  he  was  so 
handsome  and  so  good;  everybody  admired  him 
and  thought  him  such  a  fine-looking  gentleman; 
so  polished  in  his  manners,  so  agreeable  and 
entertaining  in  conversation. 

Then  she  would  press  all  sorts  of  dainties  upon 
the  little  girl  in  such  a  way  that  it  was  next  to 
impossible  to  decline  them,  and  occasionally  even 
went  so  far  as  to  suggest  improvements,  or  rather 
alterations,  in  her  dress,  which  she  said  was  en- 
tirely too  plain. 

"  You  ought  to  have  more  flounces  on  your 
skirts,  my  dear,"  she  remarked  one  day. 
"  Skirt  flounced  to  the  waist  are  so  very  pretty 
and  dressy,  and  you  would  look  sweetly  in  them, 
but  I  notice  you  don't  wear  them  at  all.  Do  ask 
your  papa  to  let  you  get  a  new  dress  and  have 
it  made  so;  I  am  sure  he  would  consent,  for  any 
one  can  see  that  he  is  very  fond  of  you.  He 
doesn't  think  of  it;  we  can't  expect  gentlemen  to 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

notice  such  little  matters;  you  ought  to  Have  a 
mamma  to  attend  to  such  things  for  you.  Ah! 
if  you  were  my  child,  I  would  dress  you  sweetly, 
you  dear  little  thing!  " 

"  Thank  you,  ma'am,  I  daresay  you  mean  to  be 
very  kind,"  replied  Elsie,  trying  not  to  look  an- 
noyed, "but  I  don't  want  a  mamma,  since  my 
own  dear  mother  has  gone  to  heaven;  papa  is 
enough  for  me,  and  I  like  the  way  he  dresses  me. 
He  always  buys  my  dresses  himself  and  says  how 
they  are  to  be  made.  The  dressmaker  wanted  to 
put  more  flounces  on,  but  papa  didn't  want  them 
and  neither  did  I.  He  says  he  doesn't  like  to  see 
little  girls  loaded  with  finery,  and  that  my  clothes 
shall  be  of  the  best  material  and  nicely  made,  but 
neat  and  simple/' 

"  Oh,  yes;  I  know  your  dress  is  not  cheap;  I 
didn't  mean  that  at  all:  it  is  quite  expensive 
enough,  and  some  of  your  white  dresses  are  beau- 
tifully worked;  but  I  would  like  a  little  more 
ornament.  You  wear  so  little  jewelry,  and  your 
father  could  afford  to  cover  you  with  it  if  he 
chose.  A  pair  of  gold  bracelets,  like  mine  for  in- 
stance, would  be  very  pretty,  and  look  charming 
on  your  lovely  white  arms:  those  pearl  ones  you 
wear  sometimes  are  very  handsome — any  one 
could  tell  that  they  are  the  real  thing — but  you 
ought  to  have  gold  ones  too,  with  clasps  set  with 
diamonds.  Couldn't  you  persuade  your  papa  to 
buy  some  for  you?  " 

"Indeed,  Miss  Stevens,  I  don't  want  them!  I 
don't  want  anything  but  what  papa  chooses  to 
buy  for  me  of  his  own  accojfd.  Ah!  there  is 
Miss  Eose  looking  for  me,  I  must  go,"  and  the 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  5 

little  girl,  glad  of  an  excuse  to  get  away,  ran  joy- 
fully to  her  friend  who  had  come  to  the  veranda, 
where  she  and  Miss  Stevens  had  been  standing, 
to  tell  her  that  they  were  going  out  to  walk,  and 
her  papa  wished  to  take  her  along. 

Elsie  went  in  to  get  her  hat,  and  Miss  Stevens 
came  towards  Rose,  saying,  "  I  think  I  heard  you 
say  you  were  going  to  walk;  and  I  believe,  if  you 
don't  forbid  me,  I  shall  do  myself  the  pleasure  of 
accompanying  you.  I  have  just  been  waiting  for 
pleasant  company.  I  will  be  ready  in  one  mo- 
ment." And  before  Eose  could  recover  from  her 
astonishment  sufficiently  to  reply  she  had  disap- 
peared through  the  hall  door. 

Elsie  was  out  again  in  a  moment,  just  as  the 
gentlemen  had  joined  Eose,  who  excited  their 
surprise  and  disgust  by  a  repetition  of  Miss 
Stevens'  speech  to  her. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  looked  excessively  annoyed,  and 
Edward  "  pshawed,  and  wished  her  at  the  bottom 
of  the  sea." 

"  No,  brother,"  said  Eose,  smiling,  "  you  don't 
wish  any  such  thing;  on  the  contrary,  you  would 
be  the  very  first  to  fly  to  the  rescue  if  you  saw  her 
in  danger  of  drowning." 

But  before  there  was  time  for  anything  more 
to  be  said  Miss  Stevens  had  returned,  and  walk- 
ing straight  up  to  Mr.  Dinsmore,  she  put  her  arm 
through  his,  saying  with  a  little  1-ugh,  and  what 
was  meant  for  a  very  arch  expression,  "  You  see 
I  don't  stand  upon  ceremony  with  old  friends, 
Mr.  Dinsmore.  It  isn't  my  way." 

"  No,  Miss  Stevens,  I  think  it  never  was/'  he 
replied,  offering  the  other  arm  to  Rose. 


6  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

She  was  going  to  decline  it  on  the  plea  that  the 
path  was  too  narrow  for  three,  but  something  in 
his  look  made  her  change  her  mind  and  accept; 
and  they  moved  on,  while  Elsie,  almost  ready  to 
cry  with  vexation,  fell  behind  with  Edward  Alli- 
son for  an  escort. 

Edward  tried  to  entertain  his  young  com- 
panion, but  was  too  much  provoked  at  the  turn 
things  had  taken  to  make  himself  very  agreeable 
,to  any  one;  and  altogether  it  was  quite  an  un- 
comfortable walk:  no  one  seeming  to  enjoy  it 
but  Miss  Stevens,  who  laughed  and  talked  inces- 
santly; addressing  nearly  all  her  conversation  to 
Mr.  Dinsmore,  he  answering  her  with  studied 
politeness,  but  nothing  more. 

Miss  Stevens  had,  from  the  first,  conceived  a 
great  antipathy  to  Rose,  whom  she  considered  a 
dangerous  rival,  and  generally  avoided,  excepting 
when  Mr.  Dinsmore  was  with  her;  but  she  always 
interrupted  a  tete-a-tete  between  them  when  it 
was  in  her  power  to  do  so  without  being  guilty 
of  very  great  rudeness.  This,  and  the  covert 
sneers  with  which  she  often  addressed  Miss  Alli- 
son had  not  escaped  Mr.  Dinsmore's  notice,  and 
it  frequently  cost  him  quite  an  effort  to  treat  Miss 
Stevens  with  the  respectful  politeness  which  he 
considered  due  to  her  sex  and  to  the  daughter 
of  his  father's  old  friend. 

"Was  it  not  too  provoking,  papa?"  exclaimed 
Elsie,  as  she  followed  him  into  his  room  on  their 
return  from  their  walk. 

"What,  my  dear?" 

"  Why,  papa,  I  thought  we  were  going  to  have 
such  a  nice  time,  and  she  just  spoiled  it  all." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  7 

"She?  who,  daughter?" 

"Why,  papa,  surely  you  know  I  mean  Miss 
Stevens! " 

"  Then  why  did  you  not  mention  her  name,  in- 
stead of  speaking  of  her  as  she?  That  does  not 
sound  respectful  in  a  child  of  your  age,  and  I 
wish  my  little  girl  always  to  be  respectful  to 
those  older  than  herself.  I  thought  I  heard  you 
the  other  day  mention  some  gentleman's  name 
without  the  prefix  of  Mr.,  and  I  intended  to  re- 
prove you  for  it  at  the  time.  Don't  do  it  again." 

"  No,  sir,  I  won't,"  Elsie  answered  with  a  blush. 
"  But,  papa,"  she  added  the  next  moment,  "  Miss 
Stevens  does  that  constantly." 

"  That  makes  no  difference,  my  daughter,"  he 
aaid  gravely.  "  Miss  Stevens  is  the  very  last  per- 
son I  would  have  you  take  for  your  model;  the 
less  you  resemble  her  in  dress,  manners,  or  any- 
thing else,  the  better.  If  you  wish  to  copy  any 
one  let  it  be  Miss  Allison,  for  she  is  a  perfect  lady 
in  every  respect." 

Elsie  looked  very  much  pleased.  "  Yes,  in- 
deed, papa,"  she  said,  "  I  should  be  glad  if  I  could 
be  just  like  Miss  Eose,  she  is  always  kind  and 
gentle  to  everybody;  even  the  servants,  whom 
Miss  Stevens  orders  about  so  crossly." 

"Elsie!" 

"What,  papa?"  she  asked,  blushing  again,  for 
his  tone  was  reproving. 

"  Come  here  and  sit  on  my  knee;  I  want  to  talk 
to  you.  I  am  afraid  my  little  daughter  is  grow- 
ing censorious,"  he  said,  with  a  very  grave  look  as 
he  drew  her  to  his  side.  "  You  forget  that  we 
ought  not  to  speak  of  other  people's  faults." 


8  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"I  will  try  not  to  do  it  any  more,  papa,"  sTie 
replied,  the  tears  springing  to  her  eyes  ;  "  but  you 
don't  know  how  very  annoying  Miss  Stevens  is. 
I  have  been  near  telling  her  several  times  that  I 
did  wish  she  would  let  me  alone." 

"  No,  daughter,  don't  do  that.  You  must  be- 
have in  a  lady-like  manner  whether  she  does  or 
not.  We  must  expect  annoyances  in  this  world, 
my  child  ;  and  must  try  to  bear  them  with  pa- 
tience, remembering  that  God  sends  the  little 
trials  as  well  as  the  great,  and  that  He  has  com- 
manded us  to  'let  patience  have  her  perfect  work.' 
I  fear  it  is  a  lack  of  the  spirit  of  forgiveness  that 
makes  it  so  difficult  for  us  to  bear  these  trifling 
vexations  with  equanimity.  And  you  must  re- 
member too,  dear,  that  the  Bible  bids  us  be  cour- 
teous, and  teaches  us  to  treat  others  as  we  our- 
selves would  wisli  to  be  treated." 

"  I  think  you  always  remember  the  command 
to  be  courteous,  papa,"  she  said,  looking  affec- 
tionately into  his  face.  "  I  was  wondering  all 
the  time  how  you  could  be  so  very  polite  to  Miss 
Stevens ;  for  I  was  quite  sure  you  would  rather 
not  have  had  her  along.  And  then,  what  right 
had  she  to  take  vour  arm  without  being  asked  ?  " 
and  Elsie's  face  flushed  with  indignation. 

Her  father  laughed  a  little.  "  And  thus  de- 
prive my  little  girl  of  her  rights,"  he  said,  softly 
kissing  the  glowing  cheek.  "  Ah  !  I  doubt  if  you 
would  have  been  angry  had  it  been  Miss  Rose," 
he  added,  a  little  mischievously. 

"  Oh,  papa,  you  know  Miss  Rose  would  never 
have  done  such  a  thing  ! "  exclaimed  the  little 
girl  warmly. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  Ah!  well,  dear,"  he  said  in  a  soothing  tone; 
"  we  won't  talk  any  more  about  it.  I  acknowl- 
edge that  I  do  not  find  Miss  Stevens  the  most 
agreeable  company  in  the  world,  but  I  must  treat 
her  politely,  and  show  her  a  little  attention  some- 
times; both  because  she  is  a  lady  and  because  her 
father  once  saved  my  father's  life;  for  which  I 
owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  him  and  his  chil- 
dren." 

"  Did  he,  papa?  I  am  sure  it  was  very  good  of 
•him,  and  I  will  try  to  like  Miss  Stevens  for  that. 
But  won't  you  tell  me  about  it?  " 

"It  was  when  they  were  both  quite  young 
men,"  said  Mr.  Dinsmore,  "  before  either  of  them 
was  married:  they  were  skating  together  and 
your  grandfather  broke  through  the  ice,  and 
would  have  been  drowned,  but  for  the  courage 
and  presence  of  mind  of  Mr.  Stevens,  who  saved 
him  only  by  very  great  exertion,  and  at  the  risk 
of  his  own  life." 

A  few  days  after  this,  Elsie  was  playing  on  the 
veranda,  with  several  other  little  girls.  "Do 
you  think  you  shall  like  your  new  mamma, 
Elsie?  "  asked  one  of  them  in  a  careless  tone,  as 
she  tied  on  an  apron  she  had  just  been  making 
for  her  doll,  and  turned  it  around  to  see  how  it 
fitted. 

"  My  new  mamma! "  exclaimed  Elsie,  with  un- 
feigned astonishment,  dropping  the  scissors  with 
which  she  had  been  cutting  paper  dolls  for  some 
of  the  little  ones.  "  What  can  you  mean,  Annie? 
I  am  not  going  to  have  any  new  mamma." 

"Yes,  indeed,  but  you  are  though,"  asserted 
Annie  positively;  "  for  I  heard  my  mother  say  so 


10  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

only  yesterday;  and  it  must  be  so,  for  she  said 
Miss  Stevens  told  it  herself." 

"Miss  Stevens!  and  what  does  she  know  about 
it?  what  has  she  to  do  with  my  papa's  affairs?" 
asked  Elsie  indignantly,  the  color  rushing  over 
face,  neck,  and  arms. 

"  Well,  I  should  think  she  might  know,  when 
she  is  going  to  marry  him,"  returned  the  other 
vith  a  laugh. 

"  She  isn't!  it's  false!  my  "—but  Elsie  checked 
herself  and  shut  her  teeth  hard  to  keep  down  the 
emotion  that  was  swelling  in  her  breast. 

"It's  true,  you  may  depend  upon  it,"  replied 
Annie;  "  everybody  in  the  house  knows  it,  and 
they  are  all  talking  about  what  a  splendid  match 
Miss  Stevens  is  going  to  make;  and  mamma  was 
wondering  if  you  knew  it,  and  how  you  would 
like  her;  and  papa  said  he  thought  Mr.  Dinsmore 
wouldn't  think  much  of  her  if  he  knew  how  she 
flirted  and  danced  until  he  came,  and  now  pre- 
tends not  to  approve  of  balls,  just  because  he 
doesn't." 

Elsie  made  no  reply,  but  dropping  scissors, 
paper,  and  everything,  sprang  up  and  ran  swiftly 
along  the  veranda,  through  the  hall,  upstairs, 
and  without  pausing  to  take  breath,  rushed  into 
her  father's  room,  where  he  sat  quietly  reading. 

"Why,  Elsie,  daughter,  what  is  the  matter?" 
he  asked  in  a  tone  of  surprise  and  concern,  as  he 
caught  sight  of  her  flushed  and  agitated  face. 

"  Oh,  papa,  it's  that  hateful  Miss  Stevens;  I 
can't  bear  her!  "  she  cried,  throwing  herself  upon 
his  breast,  and  bursting  into  a  fit  of  passionate 
weeping. 

! 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  11 

Mr.  Dinsmore  said  nothing  for  a  moment;  but 
thinking  tears  would  prove  the  best  relief  to  her 
overwrought  feelings,  contented  himself  with 
simply  stroking  her  hair  in  a  soothing  way,  and 
once  or  twice  pressing  his  lips  gently  to  her  fore- 
head. 

"You  feel  better  now,  dearest,  do  you  not?" 
he  asked  presently,  as  she  raised  her  head  to  wipe 
away  her  tears. 

"  Yes,  papa." 

"  Now  tell  me  what  it  was  all  about." 

"Miss  Stevens  does  say  such  hateful  things, 
papa!  " 

He  laid  his  finger  upon  her  lips.  "  Don't  use 
that  word  again.  It  does  not  sound  at  all 
like  my  usually  gentle  sweet-tempered  little 
girl." 

"  I  won't,  papa,"  she  murmured,  blushing  and 
hanging  her  head.  Then  hiding  her  face  on  his 
breast,  she  lay  there  for  several  minutes  perfectly 
silent  and  still. 

"What  is  my  little  girl  thinking  of?"  he 
asked  at  length. 

"How  everybody  talks  about  you,  papa;  last 
evening  I  was  out  on  the  veranda,  and  I  heard 
John  and  Miss  Stevens'  maid,  Phillis,  talking 
together.  It  was  moonlight,  you  know,  papa," 
she  went  on,  turning  her  face  toward  him  again: 
"  and  they  were  out  under  the  trees  and  John  had 
his  arm  round  her,  and  he  was  kissing  her,  and 
telling  her  how  pretty  she  was;  and  then  they  be- 
gan talking  about  Miss  Stevens  and  you,  and 
John  told  Phillis  that  he  reckoned  you  were  going 
to  marr}r  her " 


12  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  Who?  Phillis?  "  asked  Mr.  Dinsmore,  looking 
excessively  amused. 

"  Oh,  papa;  no;  you  know  I  mean  Miss  Ste- 
vens," Elsie  answered  in  a  tone  of  annoyance. 

"Well,  dear,  and  what  of  it  all?"  he  asked, 
soothingly.  "  I  don't  think  the  silly  nonsense  of 
the  servants  need  trouble  you.  John  is  a  sad 
fellow,  I  know;  he  courts  all  the  pretty  colored 
girls  wherever  he  goes.  I  shall  have  to  read 
him  a  serious  lecture  on  the  subject.  But  it  is 
very  kind  of  you  to  be  so  concerned  for  Phillis." 

"  Oh,  papa,  don't!  "  she  said,  turning  away  her 
face.  "  Please  don't  tease  me  so.  You  know  I 
don't  care  for  Phillis  or  John;  but  that  isn't 
all."  And  then  she  repeated  what  had  passed 
between  Annie  and  herself. 

He  looked  a  good  deal  provoked  as  she  went 
en  with  her  story;  then  very  grave  indeed.  He 
was  quite  silent  for  a  moment  after  she  had  done. 
Then  drawing  her  closer  to  him,  he  said  tenderly, 
"My  poor  little  girl,  I  am  sorry  you  should  be 
so  annoyed;  but  you  know  it  is  not  true,  daugh- 
ter, and  why  need  you  care  what  other  people 
think  and  say?  " 

"  I  don't  like  them  to  talk  so,  papa!  I  can't 
bear  to  have  them  say  such  things  about  you! " 
she  exclaimed  indignantly. 

He  was  silent  again  for  a  little;  then  said 
kindly,  "  I  think  I  had  better  take  you  away 
from  these  troublesome  talkers.  What  do  you 
say  to  going  home?" 

"Oh,  yes,  papa,  do  take  me  home,"  she  an- 
swered eagerly.  "  I  wish  we  were  there  now. 
I  think  it  is  the  pleasantest  place  in  the  world 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  1> 

and  it  seems  such  a  long,  long  while  since  we 
came  away.  Let  us  start  to-morrow,  papa;  can't 
we?" 

"But  you  know  you  will  have  to  leave  Miss 
Kose." 

"Ah!  I  forgot  that,"  she  said  a  little  sadly; 
but  brightening  again,  she  asked:  "  Couldn't  you 
invite  her  to  go  home  with  us  and  spend  the 
winter?  Ah!  papa,  do!  it  would  be  so  pleasant 
to  have  her." 

"  No,  my  dear,  it  wouldn't  do,"  he  replied  with 
a  grave  shake  of  the  head. 

"Why,  papa?"  she  asked  with  a  look  of  keen 
disappointment. 

"  You  are  too  young  to  understand  why,"  he 
said  in  the  same  grave  tone,  and  then  relapsed 
into  silence;  sitting  there  for  some  time  stroking 
her  hair  in  an  absent  way,  with  his  eyes  on  the 
carpet. 

At  last  he  said,  "  Elsie! "  in  a  soft,  low  tone 
that  quite  made  the  little  girl  start  and  look  up 
into  his  face;  for  she,  too,  had  been  in  a  deep 
reverie. 

"What,  papa?"  she  asked,  and  she  wondered 
to  see  how  the  color  had  spread  over  his  face, 
and  how  bright  his  eyes  looked. 

"  I  have  been  thinking,"  he  said,  in  a  half 
hesitating  way,  "  that  though  it  would  not  do  to 
invite  Miss  Rose  to  spend  the  winter  with  us,  it 
might  do  very  nicely  to  ask  her  to  come  and  live 
at  the  Oaks." 

Elsie  looked  at  him  for  a  moment  with  a  be- 
wildered expression;  then  suddenly  comprehend- 
ing, her  face  lighted  up. 


14  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"Would  you  like  it,  dearest?"  he  asked;  "or 
would  you  prefer  to  go  on  living  just  as  we  have 
been,  you  and  I  together?  I  would  consult  your 
happiness  before  rny  own,  for  it  lies  very  near 
my  heart,  my  precious  one.  I  can  never  forgive 
myself  for  all  I  have  made  you  suffer,  and  when, 
you  were  restored  to  me  almost  from  the  grave, 
I  made  a  vow  to  do  all  in  my  power  to  make 
your  future  life  bright  and  happy." 

His  tones  were  full  of  deep  feeling,  and  as  he 
spoke  he  drew  her  closer  and  closer  to  him  and 
kissed  her  tenderly  again  and  again. 

"  Speak,  daughter,  and  tell  me  what  you  wish," 
he  said,  as  she  still  remained  silent. 

At  last  she  spoke,  and  he  bent  down  to  catch 
the  words.  "  Dear  papa,"  she  whispered,  "  would 
it  make  you  happy?  and  do  you  think  mamma 
knows,  and  that  she  would  like  it?" 

"Your  mamma  loves  us  both  too  well  not  to 
be  pleased  with  anything  that  would  add  to  our 
happiness,"  he  replied  gently. 

"Dear  papa,  you  won't  be  angry  if  I  ask  an- 
other question?" 

"  No,  darling;  ask  as  many  as  you  wish." 

"Then,  papa,  will  I  have  to  call  her  mamma? 
and  do  you  think  my  own  mamma  would  like 
it?" 

"  If  Miss  Allison  consents  to  take  a  mother's 
place  to  you,  I  am  sure  your  own  mamma,  if  she 
could  speak  to  you,  would  tell  you  she  deserved 
to  have  the  title;  and  it  would  hurt  us  both 
very  much  if  you  refused  to  give  it.  Indeed,  my 
daughter,  I  cannot  ask  her  to  come  to  us  unless 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  15 

you  will  promise  to  do  so,  and  to  love  and  obey 
her  just  as  you  do  me.  Will  you?  " 

"I  will  try  to  obey  her,  papa;  and  I  shall 
love  her  very  dearly,  for  I  do  already;  but  I  can 
not  love  anybody  quite  so  well  as  I  love  you,  my 
own  dear,  dear  father! "  she  said,  throwing  her 
arms  around  his  neck. 

He  returned  her  caress,  saying  tenderly,  "  That 
is  all  I  can  ask,  dearest;  I  must  reserve  the  first 
place  in  your  heart  for  myself ." 

"Do  you  think  she  will  come,  papa?"  she 
asked  anxiously. 

"  I  don't  know,  daughter;  I  have  not  asked 
her  yet.  But  shall  I  tell  her  that  it  will  add  to 
your  happiness  if  she  will  be  your  mamma?  " 

"  Yes,  sir;  and  that  I  will  call  her  mamma, 
and  obey  her  and  love  her  dearly.  Oh,  papa,  ask 
her  very  soon,  won't  you?" 

"Perhaps;  but  don't  set  your  heart  too  much 
on  it,  for  she  may  not  be  quite  so  willing  to  take 
such  a  troublesome  charge  as  Miss  Stevens  seems 
to  be,"  he  said,  returning  to  his  playful  tone. 

Elsie  looked  troubled  and  anxious. 

"  I  hope  she  will,  papa,"  she  said;  "  I  think 
she  might  be  very  glad  to  come  and  live  with  you; 
and  in  such  a  beautiful  home,  too." 

"Ah!  but  everyone  does  not  appreciate  my 
society  as  highly  as  you  do,"  he  replied,  laughing; 
and  pinching  her  cheek;  "  and  besides,  you  forget 
about  the  troublesome  little  girl.  I  have  heard 
ladies  say  they  would  not  marry  a  man  who  had 
a  child." 

"But  Miss  Hose  loves  me,  papa;  I  am  sure 


16  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

she  does,"  she  said,  flushing,  and  the  tears  start 
ing  to  her  eyes. 

"  Yes,  darling,  I  know  she  does/'  he  answered 
soothingly.  "  I  am  only  afraid  she  loves  you  bet- 
ter than  she  does  me." 

A  large  party  of  equestrians  were  setting  out 
from  the  hotel  that  evening  soon  after  tea,  and 
Elsie,  in  company  with  several  other  little  girls, 
went  out  upon  the  veranda  to  watch  them  mount 
and  ride  away.  She  was  absent  but  a  few  mo- 
ments from  the  parlor,  where  she  had  left  her 
father,  but  when  she  returned  to  it  he  was  not 
there.  Miss  Eose,  too,  was  gone,  she  found  upon 
further  search,  and  though  she  had  not  much 
difficulty  in  conjecturing  why  she  had  thus,  for 
the  first  time,  been  left  behind,  she  could  not 
help  feeling  rather  lonely  and  desolate 

She  felt  no  disposition  to  renew  the  afternoon's 
sonversation  with  Annie  Hart,  so  she  went 
quietly  upstairs  to  their  private  parlor  and  sat 
down  to  amuse  herself  with  a  book  until  Chloe 
came  in  from  eating  her  supper.  Then  the  little 
girl  brought  a  stool,  and  seating  herself  in  the 
old  posture  with  her  head  in  her  nurse's  lap,  she 
drew  her  mother's  miniature  from  her  bosom,  and 
fixing  her  eyes  lovingly  upon  it,  said,  as  she  had 
done  hundreds  of  times  before:  "  Now,  mammy, 
please  tell  me  about  my  dear,  dear  mamma." 

The  soft  eyes  were  full  of  tears;  for  with  all 
her  joy  at  the  thought  of  Eose,  mingled  a  strange 
sad  feeling  that  she  was  getting  farther  away 
irom  that  dear,  precious,  unknown  mother,  whose 
image  had  been,  since  her  earliest  recollection, 
enshrined  in  her  very  heart  of  hearts. 


CHAPTER  II. 

O  lady  !  there  be  many  things 
That  seem  right  fair  above  ; 
But  sure  not  one  among  them  all 

Is  half  so  sweet  as  love  ; — 
Let  us  not  pay  cur  vows  alone, 
But  join  two  altars  into  one. 

— O.  W. 

Here  still  is  the  smile  that  no  cloud  can  o'ercast, 
And  the  heart,  and  the  hand,  all  thy  own  to  the  last. 

— MOORE. 

MB.  HOEACE  DINSMORE  was  quite  remarkable 
for  his  conversational  powers,  and  Rose,  who  had 
always  heretofore  found  him  a  most  entertain- 
ing companion,  wondered  greatly  at  his  silence 
on  this  particular  evening.  She  waited  in  vain 
for  him  to  start  some  topic  of  conversation,  but 
as  he  did  not  seem  disposed  to  do  so,  she  at 
length  made  the  attempt  herself,  and  tried  one 
subject  after  another.  Finding,  however,  that 
she  was  answered  only  in  monosyllables,  she  toe 
grew  silent  and  embarrassed,  and  heartily  wished 
for  the  relief  of  Elsie's  presence. 

She  had  proposed  summoning  the  child  to  ac- 
company them  as  iisual,  but  Mr.  Dinsmore  re- 
plied that  she  had  already  had  sufficient  exercise, 
and  he  would  prefer  having  her  remain  at  home. 

They  had  walked  some  distance,  and  coming 
to  a  rustic  seat  where  they  had  often  rested,  they 
&at  down.  The  moon  was  shining  softly  dowa 
i? 


18  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

apon  them,  and  all  nature  seemed  hushed  and 
still.  For  some  moments  neither  of  them  spoke, 
but  at  length  Mr.  Dinsmore  broke  the  silence. 

"  Miss  Allison,"  he  said,  in  his  deep,  rich  tones, 
"I  would  like  to  tell  you  a  story,  if  you  will  do 
me  the  favor  to  listen." 

It  would  have  been  quite  impossible  for  Eose 
to  tell  why  her  heart  beat  so  fast  at  this  very 
commonplace  remark,  but  so  it  was;  and  she 
could  scarcely  steady  her  voice  to  reply,  "  I 
always  find  your  stories  interesting,  Mr.  Dins- 
more." 

He  began  at  once. 

"  Somewhere  between  ten  and  eleven  years  ago, 
ft  wild,  reckless  boy  of  seventeen,  very  much 
spoiled  by  the  indulgence  of  a  fond,  doting 
father,  who  loved  and  petted  him  as  the  only 
son  of  his  departed  mother,  was  spending  a  few 
months  in  one  of  our  large  Southern  cities,  where 
he  met,  and  soon  fell  desperately  in  love  with, 
a  beautiful  orphan  heiress,  some  two  years  his 
junior. 

"  The  boy  was  of  too  ardent  a  temperament, 
and  too  madly  in  love,  to  brook  for  a  moment 
the  thought  of  waiting  until  parents  and  guard- 
ians should  consider  them  of  suitable  age  to 
marry,  in  addition  to  which  he  had  good  reason 
to  fear  that  his  father,  with  whom  family  pri'de 
was  a  ruling  passion,  would  entirely  refuse  his 
consent  upon  learning  that  the  father  of  the 
young  lady  had  begun  life  as  a  poor,  uneducated 
boy,  and  worked  his  way  up  to  wealth  and  posi- 
tion by  dint  of  hard  labor  and  incessant  applica« 
tion  to  business. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  10 

11  The  boy,  it  is  true,  was  almost  as  proud  him- 
self, but  it  was  not  until  the  arrows  of  the  boy- 
god  had  entered  into  his  heart  too  deeply  to  be 
extracted,  that  he  learned  the  story  of  his  charm- 
er's antecedents.  Yet  I  doubt  if  the  result  would 
have  been  different  had  he  been  abundantly  fore- 
warned; for  oh,  Miss  Eose,  if  ever  an  angel 
walked  the  earth  in  human  form  it  was  she! — 
so  gentle,  so  good,  so  beautiful! " 

He  heaved  a  deep  sigh,  paused  a  moment,  and 
then  went  on: 

"  Well,  Miss  Eose,  as  you  have  probably  sur- 
mised, they  were  privately  married.  If  that 
sweet  girl  had  a  fault,  it  was  that  she  was  too 
yielding  to  those  she  loved,  and  sheSlid  love  her 
young  husband  with  all  the  warmth  of  her 
young  guileless  heart;  for  she  had  neither  par- 
ents nor  kinsfolk,  and  he  was  the  one  object 
around  which  her  affections  might  cling.  They 
were  all  the  world  to  each  other,  and  for  a  few 
short  months  they  were  very  happy. 

"  But  it  could  not  last;  the  marriage  was  dis- 
covered— her  guardian  and  the  young  man's 
father  were  both  furious,  and  they  were  torn 
asunder;  she  carried  away  to  a  distant  planta- 
tion, and  he  sent  North  to  attend  college. 

"  They  were  well-nigh  distracted,  but  cher- 
ished the  hope  that  when  they  should  reach  their 
majority  and  come  into  possession  of  their  prop- 
erty, which  was  now  unfortunately  entirely  in. 
the  hands  of  their  guardians,  they  would  be 
reunited. 

"  But — it  is  the  old  story — their  letters  were 
intercepted,  and  the  first  news  the  young  hus« 


20  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

band  received  of  his  wife  was  that  she  Had  died 
a  few  days  after  giving  birth  to  a  little  daugh- 
ter/' 

Again  Mr.  Dinsmore  paused,  then  continued: 

*  It  was  a  terrible  stroke!  For  months,  reason 
seemed  almost  ready  to  desert  her  throne;  but 
time  does  wonders,  and  in  the  course  of  years  it 
did  much  to  heal  his  wounds.  You  would  per- 
haps suppose  that  he  would  at  once — or  at  least 
as  soon  as  he  was  his  own  master — have  sought 
out  his  child,  and  lavished  upon  it  the  wealth  of 
his  affections:  but  no;  he  had  conceived  almost 
an  aversion  to  it;  for  he  looked  upon  it  as  the 
cause — innocent,  it  is  true — but  still  the  cause  of 
his  wife's  death.  He  did  not  know  till  long 
years  afterwards  that  her  heart  was  broken  by 
the  false  story  of  his  desertion  and  subsequent 
death.  Her  guardian  was  a  hard,  cruel  man, 
though  faithful  in  his  care  of  her  property. 

"With  him  the  child  remained  until  she  was 
about  four  years  old  when  a  change  was  made 
necessary  by  his  death,  and  she,  with  her  faithful 
nurse,  was  received  into  her  paternal  grandfa- 
ther's family  until  her  father,  who  had  then  gone 
abroad,  should  return.  But  my  story  is  grow- 
ing very  long,  and  you  will  be  weary  of  listening. 
I  will  try  to  be  as  brief  as  possible. 

"  The  little  girl,  under  the  care  of  her  nurse 
and  the  faithful  instructions  of  a  pious  old 
Scotchwoman — who  had  come  over  with  the 
child's  maternal  grandparents,  and  followed  the 
fortunes  of  the  daughter  and  granddaughter, 
always  living  as  housekeeper  in  the  families 
where  they  resided — had  grown  to  be  a  sweet, 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  21 

engaging  child,  inheriting  her  mother's  beauty 
and  gentleness.  She  had  also  her  mother's  crav- 
ing for  affection,  and  was  constantly  looking  and 
longing  for  the  return  of  her  unknown  father, 
which  was  delayed  from  time  to  time  until  she 
was  nearly  eight  years  of  age. 

"At  last  he  came;  but  ah,  what  a  bitter  dis- 
appointment awaited  the  poor  child!  His  mind 
had  been  poisoned  against  her,  and  instead  of  the 
love  and  tenderness  she  had  a  right  to  expect,  he 
met  her  with  coldness — almost  with  aversion. 
Poor  little  one!  she  was  nearly  heartbroken,  and 
for  a  time  scarcely  dared  venture  into  her  father's 
presence.  She  was  gentle,  submissive,  and  pa- 
tient; he  cold,  haughty,  and  stern.  But  she 
would  love  him,  in  spite  of  his  sternness,  and  at 
length  she  succeeded  in  winning  her  way  to  his 
affections,  and  he  learned  to  love  her  with  pas- 
sionate tenderness. 

"  Still  her  troubles  were  not  over.  She  was 
sincerely  pious,  and  conscientiously  strict  in 
many  things  which  her  father  deemed  of  little 
i  importance;  especially  was  this  the  case  in 
regard  to  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath.  He 
was  a  man  of  iron  will,  and  she,  though  perfectly 
submissive  in  other  respects,  had  the  firmness  of 
a  martyr  in  resisting  any  interference  with  her 
conscience. 

"Well,  their  wills  came  in  collision.  He 
required  her  to  do  what  she  considered  a  viola- 
tion of  God's  law,  although  he  could  see  no  harm 
in  it,  and  therefore  considered  her  stubborn  and 
disobedient.  He  was  firm,  but  so  was  she.  He 
tried  persuasions,  threats,  punishments — all  with- 


22  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

out  effect.  He  banished  her  from  his  arms,  from 
the  family  circle,  deprived  her  of  amusements, 
denied  her  to  visitors,  broke  off  her  correspond- 
ence with  a  valued  friend,  sent  away  her  nurse; 
and  finding  all  these  acts  of  severity  ineffectual, 
he  at  length  left  her,  telling  her  he  would  return 
only  when  she  submitted;  and  even  refusing  her 
a  parting  caress,  which  she  pleaded  for  with 
heart-breaking  entreaties." 

Mr.  Dinsmore's  voice  trembled  with  emotion, 
but  recovering  himself,  he  went  on: 

"Don't  think,  Miss  Allison,  that  all  this  time 
the  father's  heart  was  not  bleeding;  it  was,  at 
every  pore;  but  he  was  determined  to  conquer, 
and  mistook  the  child's  motives  and  the  source 
of  her  strength  to  resist  his  will. 

"  He  had  bought  a  beautiful  estate;  he  caused 
the  house  to  be  handsomely  fitted  up  and  fur- 
nished, especially  lavishing  trouble  and  expense 
upon  a  suite  of  rooms  for  his  little  girl,  and  when 
all  was  completed,  he  wrote  to  her,  bidding  her 
go  and  see  the  lovely  home  he  had  prepared  for 
her  reception  as  soon  as  she  would  submit, — and 
presenting,  as  the  only  alternative,  banishment 
to  a  boarding-school  or  convent  until  her  educa- 
tion was  finished.  This  was  the  one  drop  which 
made  the  cup  overflow.  The  poor  suffering 
child  was  prostrated  by  a  brain  fever  which 
brought  her  to  the  very  gates  of  death.  Then 
the  father's  eyes  were  opened;  he  saw  his  folly 
and  his  sin,  and  repented  in  sackcloth  and  ashes; 
and  God,  in  His  great  mercy,  was  pleased  to 
spare  him  the  terrible  crushing  blow  which 
seemed  to  have  already  fallen; — for  at  one  time 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  23 

they  told  him  his  child  was  dead.  Oh,  never, 
never  can  he  forget  the  unutterable  anguish  of 
that  moment! " 

Mr.  Dinsmore  paused,  unable  to  proceed.  Eose 
had  been  weeping  for  some  time.  She  well  knew 
to  whose  story  she  was  listening,  and  her  gentle, 
loving  heart  was  filled  with  pity  for  both  him 
and  for  his  child. 

"  I  have  but  little  more  to  tell,"  he  resumed; 
"the  child  has  at  length  entirely  recovered  her 
health;  she  is  dearer  to  her  father's  heart  than 
words  can  express,  and  is  very  happy  in  the 
knowledge  that  it  is  so,  and  that  henceforward 
he  will  strive  to  assist  her  to  walk  in  the  narrow 
way,  instead  of  endeavoring  to  lead  her  from  it. 

"  Their  home  has  been  a  very  happy  one;  but 
it  lacks  one  thing — the  wife  and  mother's  place 
is  vacant;  she  who  filled  it  once  is  gone — never 
to  return! — but  there  is  a  sweet,  gentle  lady 
who  has  won  the  hearts  of  both  father  and 
daughter,  and  whom  they  would  fain  persuade 
to  fill  the  void  in  their  affections  and  their 
home. 

"  Miss  Kose,  dare  I  hope  that  you  would  ven- 
ture to  trust  your  happiness  in  the  hands  of  a 
man  who  has  proved  himself  capable  of  such 
cruelty?  " 

Eose  did  not  speak,  and  he  seemed  to  read  in 
her  silence  and  her  averted  face  a  rejection  of 
his  suit. 

"Ah,  you  cannot  love  or  trust  me!"  he  ex- 
claimed bitterly.  "I  was  indeed  a  fool  to  hope 
it.  Forgive  me  for  troubling  you;  forgive  my 
presumption  in  imagining  for  a  moment  that  I 


24  ELSIE'S  GIBLHOOD. 

might  be  able  to  win  you.  But  oh,  Rose,  could 
you  but  guess  how  I  love  you — better  than  aught 
else  upon  earth  save  my  precious  child!  and  even 
as  I  love  her  better  than  life.  I  said  that  our 
home  had  been  a  happy  one,  but  to  me  it  can 
be  so  no  longer  if  you  refuse  to  share  it  with  me!  " 

She  turned  her  blushing  face  towards  him  for 
a  single  instant,  and  timidly  placed  her  hand  in 
his.  The  touch  sent  a  thrill  through  her  whole 
frame. 

"And  you  will  dare  trust  me?"  he  said  in  a 
low  tone  of  intense  joy.  "  Oh,  Rose!  I  have  not 
deserved  such  happiness  as  this!  I  am  not  worthy 
of  one  so  pure  and  good.  But  I  will  do  all  that 
man  can  do  to  make  your  life  bright  and  happy." 

"Ah,  Mr.  Dinsmore!  I  am  very  unfit  for  the 
place  you  have  asked  me  to  fill,"  she  murmured. 
"I  am  not  old  enough,  or  wise  enough  to  be  a 
mother  to  your  little  girl." 

"I  know  you  are  young,  dear  Rose,  but  you 
are  far  from  foolish,"  he  said  tenderly,  "  and  my 
little  girl  is  quite  prepared  to  yield  you  a  daugh- 
ter's love  and  obedience;  but  I  do  not  think  she 
will  be  a  care  or  trouble  to  you;  I  do  not  intend 
that  she  shall,  but  expect  to  take  all  that  upon 
myself.  Indeed,  Rose,  dearest,  you  shall  never 
know  any  care  or  trouble  that  I  can  save  yon 
from.  No  words  can  tell  how  dear  you  are  to 
me,  and  were  it  in  my  power  I  would  shield  you 
from  every  annoyance,  and  give  you  every  joy 
that  the  human  heart  can  know.  I  have  loved 
you  from  the  first  day  we  met! — ah,  I  loved  you 
eveflQ  before  that,  for  all  your  love  and  kindness 
to  my  darling  child;  but  I  scarcely  dared  hope 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  25 

that  you  could  return  my  affection,  or  feel  willing 
to  trust  your  happiness  to  the  keeping  of  one  who 
had  shown  himself  such  a  monster  of  cruelty  in 
his  treatment  of  his  little  gentle  daughter.  Are 
you  not  afraid  of  me,  Eose?  " 

His  arm  was  around  her  waist,  and  he  was 
bending  over  her,  gazing  down  into  her  face,  and 
eagerly  awaiting  her  answer. 

Presently  it  came,  in  calm,  gentle  tones;  "  N"o, 
Horace;  'perfect  love  casteth  out  fear/  and  I 
cannot  judge  you  hardly  for  what  may  have  been 
only  a  mistaken  sense  of  duty,  and  has  been  so 
bitterly  repented." 

"  Heaven  bless  you,  dearest,  for  these  words/* 
he  answered  with  emotion,  "  they  have  made  me 
the  happiest  of  men/' 

Horace  Dinsmore  wore  upon  his  little  finger  a 
splendid  diamond  ring,  which  had  attracted  a 
good  deal  of  attention,  especially  among  the 
ladies,  who  admired  it  extremely,  and  of  which 
Miss  Stevens  had  hoped  to  be  one  day  the  happy 
and  envied  possessor.  Taking  Rose's  small  white 
hand  in  his  again,  he  placed  it  upon  her  slender 
finger. 

"  This  seals  our  compact,  and  makes  you  mine 
forever,"  he  said,  pressing  the  hand  to  his  lips.  - 

"  With  the  consent  of  my  parents,"  murmured 
Rose,  a  soft  blush  mantling  her  cheek. 

Elsie  was  still  in  her  papa's  private  parlor,  for 
though  it  was  long  past  her  usual  hour  for  retir- 
ing, she  had  not  yet  done  so;  her  father  having 
left  a  message  with  Chloe  to  the  effect  that  she 
might,  if  she  chose,  stay  up  until  his  return. 

Chloe  had  dropped  asleep  in  her  chair,  and  the 


26  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

little  girl  was  trying  to  while  away  the  time  with 
a  book.  But  she  did  not  seem  much  interested 
in  it,  for  every  now  and  then  she  laid  it  down  to 
run  to  the  door  and  listen.  Then  sighing  to  her- 
self, "  They  are  not  coming  yet,"  she  would  go 
back  and  take  it  up  again.  But  at  last  she  started 
from  her  seat  with  an  exclamation  of  delight  that 
awoke  Chloe;  for  this  time  there  could  be  no 
doubt;  she  had  heard  his  well-known  step  upon 
the  stairs. 

She  moved  quickly  towards  the  door — stopped 
— hesitated,  and  stood  still  in  the  middle  of  the 
room. 

But  the  door  opened,  and  her  father  entered 
with  Miss  Kose  upon  his  arm.  One  look  at  his 
radiant  countenance,  and  Bose's  blushing,  happy 
face  told  the  whole  glad  story.  He  held  out  his 
hand  with  a  beaming  smile,  and  Elsie  sprang 
towards  him. 

"  My  darling,"  he  said,  stooping  to  give  her  a 
kiss,  "  I  have  brought  you  a  mother." 

Then  taking  Eose's  hand,  and  placing  one  of 
Elsie's  in  it,  while  he  held  the  other  in  a  close, 
loving  grasp,  he  added:  "  Eose,  she  is  your  daugh- 
ter also.  I  give  you  a  share  in  my  choicest 
treasure." 

Bose  threw  her  arm  around  the  little  girl  and 
kissed  her  tenderly,  whispering:  "Will  you  love 
me,  Elsie,  dearest?  you  know  how  dearly  I  love 
you." 

"  Indeed  I  will;  I  do  love  you  very  much,  and 
I  am  very  glad,  dear,  darling  Miss  Eose,"  Elsie 
replied,  returning  her  caress. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  was  watching  them  with  a  heart 


ELSIE  S  GIRLHOOD,  8? 

swelling  with  joy  and  gratitude.  He  led  Rose  to 
a  sofa,  and  seating  himself  by  her  side,  drew  Elsie 
in  between  his  knees,  and  put  an  arm  round  each. 
"My  two  treasures,"  he  said,  looking  affection- 
ately from  one  to  the  other.  "  Rose,  I  feel  my- 
self the  richest  man  in  the  Union." 

Rose  smiled,  and  Elsie  laid  her  head  on  her 
father's  shoulder  with  a  happy  sigh. 

They  sat  a  few  moments  thus,  when  Rose  made 
a  movement  to  go,  remarking  that  it  must  be 
growing  late.  She  felt  a  secret  desire  to  be  safe 
within  the  shelter  of  her  own  room  before  the 
return  of  the  riding  party  should  expose  her  to 
Miss  Stevens'  prying  curiosity. 

"  It  is  not  quite  ten  yet,"  said  Mr.  Dinsmore, 
looking  at  his  watch. 

"  Late  enough  though,  is  it  not?  "  she  answered 
with  a  smile.  "  I  think  I  must  go.  Good-night, 
dear  little  Elsie."  She  rose,  and  Mr.  Dinsmore, 
gently  drawing  her  hand  within  his  arm,  led  her 
to  her  room,  bidding  her  good-night  at  the  door, 
and  adding  a  whispered  request  that  she  would 
wait  for  him  to  conduct  her  down  to  the  break- 
fast room  in  the  morning. 

"  Must  I  go  to  bed  now,  papa  ?  "  asked  Elsie,  as 
he  returned  to  the  parlor  again. 

"  Not  yet,"  he  said;  "  I  want  you."  And,  sit- 
ting down,  he  took  her  in  his  arms.  "  My  dar- 
ling, my  dear  little  daughter!"  he  said;  "were 
you  very  lonely  this  evening?  " 

"  No,  papa;  not  very,  though  I  missed  you  atid 
Miss  Rose." 

He  was  gazing  down  into  her  face;  something 
in  its  expression  seemed  to  strike  him,  and  he 


28  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOL. 

suddenly  turned  h^r  towards  the  light,  and  look- 
ing keenly  at  her,  said,  "  You  have  been  crying; 
what  was  the  matter?  " 

Elsie's  face  flushed  crimson,  and  the  tears 
started  to  her  eyes  again.  "  Dear  papa,  don't 
be  angry  with  me,"  she  pleaded.  "I  couldn't 
help  it;  indeed  I  could  not." 

"  I  am  not  angry,  darling;  only  pained  that  my 
little  girl  is  not  so  happy  as  I  expected.  I  hoped 
that  your  joy  would  be  unclouded  to-night,  as 
mine  has  been;  but  will  you  not  tell  your  father 
what  troubles  you,  dearest?" 

"I  was  looking  at  this,  papa,"  she  said,  draw- 
ing her  mother's  miniature  from  her  bosom,  and 
putting  it  into  his  hand;  "  and  mammy  was  tell- 
ing me  all  about  my  own  mamma  again;  and, papa, 
you  know  I  love  Miss  Rose,  and  I  am  very  glad 

she  is  coming  to  us,  but  it  seems  as  if — as  if " 

She  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears,  and  hiding  her 
face  on  his  breast,  sobbed  out,  "  Oh,  papa,  I  can't 
help  feeling  as  though  mamma — my  own  dear 
mamma — is  farther  away  from  us  now;  as  if  she 
is  going  to  be  forgotten." 

There  were  tears  in  his  eyes,  too;  but  gently 
raising  her  head,  he  pushed  back  the  curls  from 
her  forehead,  and  kissing  her  tenderly,  said,  in 
low,  soothing  tones,  "No,  darling;  it  is  only  a 
feeling,  and  will  soon  pass  away.  Your  own  dear 
mother — my  early  love — can  never  be  forgotten 
by  either  of  us.  Nor  would  Eose  wish  it.  There 
is  room  in  my  heart  for  both  of  them,  and  I  do 
not  love  the  memory  of  Elsie  less  because  I  have 
given  a  place  in  it  to  Rose." 

There   was   a   momentary   silence;   then   she 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  29 

looked  up,  asking  timidly,  "You  are  not  vexed 
with  me,  papa?  " 

"  No,  dearest;  not  at  all;  and  I  am  very  glad 
you  have  told  me  your  feelings  so  freely,"  he  said, 
folding  her  closer  and  closer  to  his  heart.  "I 
hope  you  will  always  come  to  me  with  your  sor- 
rows, and  you  need  never  fear  that  you  will  not 
find  sympathy,  and  help  too,  as  far  as  it  is  in  my 
power  to  give  it.  Elsie,  do  you  know  that  you 
are  very  like  your  mother? — the  resemblance 
grows  stronger  every  day;  and  it  would  be  quite 
impossible  for  me  to  forget  her  with  this  living 
image  always  before  me." 

'-Am  I  like  her,  papa?  I  am  so  glad!"  ex- 
claimed the  little  girl  eagerly,  her  face  lighting  up 
with  a  joyous  smile. 

It  seemed  as  though  Mr.  Dinsmore  could  hardly 
bear  to  part  with  his  child  that  night;  he  held 
her  a  long  time  in  his  arms,  but  at  last,  with  an- 
other tender  caress,  and  a  fervent  blessing,  he 
bade  her  good-night  and  sent  her  away. 


CHAPTER  III. 

She  twin'd — and  her  mother's  gaze  brought  back 

Each  hue  of  her  childhood's  faded  track. 

Oh  !  hush  the  song,  and  let  her  tears 

Flow  to  the  dream  of  her  early  years  1 

Holy  and  pure  are  the  drops  that  fall 

When  the  young  bride  goes  from  her  father's  hall ; 

She  goes  unto  love  yet  untried  and  new — 

She  parts  from  love  which  hath  still  been  true. 

— MRS.  HEMANS'  POEMS. 

"  How  did  it  happen  that  Mr.  Dinsmore  was 
not  of  your  party  last  night,  Miss  Stevens?  "  in- 
quired one  of  the  lady  boarders  the  next  morning 
at  the  breakfast-table. 

"  He  had  been  riding  all  the  morning  with  his 
little  girl,  and  I  presume  was  too  much  fatigued 
to  go  again  in  the  evening/'  Miss  Stevens  coolly 
replied,  as  she  broke  an  egg  into  her  cup,  and 
proceeded  very  deliberately  to  season  it. 

"  It  seems  he  was  not  too  much  fatigued  to 
walk,"  returned  the  other,  a  little  maliciously; 
"  or  to  take  a  lady  upon  his  arm." 

Miss  Stevens  started,  and  looked  up  hastily. 

"  I  would  advise  you  to  be  on  your  guard,  and 
play  your  cards  well,  or  that  quiet  Miss  Allison 
may  prove  a  serious  rival,"  the  lady  continued. 
"  He  certainly  pays  her  a  good  deal  of  attention." 

"  It  is  easy  to  account  for  that,"  remarked 
Miss  Stevens,  with  a  scornful  toss  of  the  head; 
"  he  is  very  fond  of  his  little  girl,  and  takes  her 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  31 

out  walking  or  riding  every  day,  and  this  Miss 
Allison — who  is,  I  presume,  a  kind  of  governess 
— indeed,  it  is  evident  that  she  is,  from  the  care 
she  takes  of  the  child — goes  along  as  a  matter  of 
course;  but  if  you  think  Horace  Dinsmore  would 
look  at  a  governess,  you  are  greatly  mistaken,  for 
he  is  as  proud  as  Lucifer,  as  well  as  the  rest  of 
his  family,  though  he  does  set  up  to  be  so  very 
pious! " 

"  Excuse  me,  madam,"  observed  a  gentleman 
sitting  near,  "  but  you  must  be  laboring  under  a 
misapprehension.  I  am  well  acquainted  with  the 
Allison  family,  and  can  assure  you  that  the  father 
is  one  of  the  wealthiest  merchants  in  Phila- 
delphia." 

At  this  moment  'Mr.  Dinsmore  entered^  with 
Eose  upon  his  arm,  and  leading  Elsie  with  the 
other  hand.  They  drew  near  the  table;  he 
handed  Miss  Allison  to  a  seat  and  took  his  place 
beside  her. 

A  slight  murmur  of  surprise  ran  round  the 
table,  and  all  eyes  were  turned  upon  Rose,  who, 
feeling  uncomfortably  conscious  of  the  fact,  cast 
down  her  own  in  modest  embarrassment,  while 
Elsie,  with  a  face  all  smiles  and  dimples,  sent  a 
triumphant  glance  across  the  table  at  Annie 
Hart,  who  was  whispering  to  her  mother,  "  See, 
mamma,  she  has  Mr.  Dinsmore's  ring! " 

That  lady  immediately  called  Miss  Stevens'  at- 
tention to  it,  which  was  quite  unnecessary,  as  she 
was  already  burning  with  rage  at  the  sight. 

"  They  walked  out  alone  last  evening,  and  that 
ring  explains  what  they  were  about,"  said  Mrs. 
Hart,  in  an  undertone.  "  I  am  really  sorry  for 


32  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

you,  Miss  Stevens;  for  your  prize  has  certainly 
slipped  through  your  fingers." 

"  I  am  much  obliged  to  you,"  she  replied,  with 
a  toss  of  her  head;  "  but  there  are  as  good  fish  in 
the  sea  as  ever  were  caught." 

The  next  moment  she  rose  and  left  the  table, 
Mrs.  Hart  following  her  into  the  public  parlor, 
and  continuing  the  conversation  by  remarking, 
"  I  would  sue  him  for  breach  of  promise  if  I  were 
you,  Miss  Stevens.  I  understood  you  were  en- 
gaged to  him." 

"I  never  said  so;  so  what  right  had  you  to 
suppose  it?"  returned  Miss  Stevens  snap- 
pishly. 

And  upon  reflecting  a  moment,  Mrs.  Hart  could 
not  remember  that  she  had  ever  said  so  in  plain 
terms,  although  she  had  hinted  it  many  times — 
talking  a  great  deal  of  Mr.  Dinsmore's  splendid 
establishment,  and  frequently  speaking  of  the 
changes  she  thought  would  be  desirable  in  Elsie's 
dress,  just  as  though  she  expected  some  day  to 
have  it  under  her  control.  Then,  too,  she  had 
always  treated  Mr.  Dinsmore  with  so  much 
familiarity  that  it  was  perfectly  natural  strangers 
should  suppose  they  were  engaged,  even  though 
he  never  reciprocated  it;  for  that  might  be  only 
because  he  was  naturally  reserved  and  undemon- 
strative; as  indeed  Miss  Stevens  frequently 
averred,  seeming  to  regret  it  very  deeply. 

Presently  she  burst  out,  "I  don't  know  why 
people  are  always  so  ready  to  talk!  I  don't  care 
for  Horace  Dinsmore,  and  never  did!  There  was 
never  anything  serious  between  us,  though  I  must 
say  he  has  paid  me  marked  attentions,  and  given 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  33 

me  every  reason  to  suppose  he  meant  something 
by  them.  I  never  gave  him  any  encouragement, 
however;  and  so  he  has  been  taken  in  by  that 
artful  creature.  I  thought  he  had  more  sense, 
and  could  see  through  her  maneuvers — coaxing 
and  petting  up  the  child  to  curry  favor  with  the 
father!  I  thank  my  stars  that  I  am  above  such 
mean  tricks!  I  presume  she  thinks,  now,  she  is 
making  a  splendid  match;  but  if  she  doesn't  re- 
pent of  her  bargain  before  she  has  been  married 
a  year,  I  miss  my  guess!  She'll  never  have  her 
own  way — not  a  bit  of  it — I  can  tell  her  that. 
Everybody  that  knows  him  will  tell  you  that  he  is 
high-tempered  and  tyrannical,  and  as  obstinate 
as  a  mule." 

"  The  grapes  are  very  sour,  I  think,"  whispered 
Mrs.  Hart  to  her  next  neighbor,  who  nodded  and 
laughed. 

"  There  is  Elsie  out  on  the  veranda,  now,"  said 
Annie.  "I  mean  to  go  and  ask  her  what  Miss 
Allison  had  her  father's  ring  for;  may  I, 
mamma?  " 

"  Yes;  go,  child,  if  you  want  to;  I  should  like  to 
hear  what  she  will  say;  though,  of  course,  every- 
body understands  that  there  must  be  an  engage- 
ment." 

"  Well,  Elsie,  what  made  you  run  away  in  such 
a  hurry  yesterday?  "  asked  Annie,  running  up  to 
our  little  friend.  "  Did  you  ask  your  papa  about 
the  new  mamma?  " 

"  I  told  him  what  you  said,  Annie,  and  it  wasn't 
true,"  Elsie  answered,  with  a  glad  look  of  joy. 
"  I  am  going  to  have  a  new  mother  though,  and 
papa  said  I  might  tell  you;  but  it  is  Miss  Allison 


34  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

instead  of  Miss  Stevens,  and  I  am  very  glad,  be- 
cause I  love  her  dearly." 

"Is  she  your  governess?" 

"No,  indeed!  what  made  you  ask?" 

"  Miss  Stevens  said  so,"  replied  Annie,  laugh- 
ing and  running  away.  And  just  then  Elsie's 
papa  called  her,  and  bade  her  go  upstairs  and 
have  her  hat  put  on,  as  they  were  going  out  to 
walk. 

Edward  Allison  had  been  talking  with  his  sis- 
ter in  her  room,  and  they  came  down  together  to 
the  veranda,  where  Mr.  Dinsmore  and  Elsie  were 
waiting  for  them.  Edward  was  looking  very 
proud  and  happy,  but  Eose's  face  was  half  hidden 
by  her  veil.  She  took  Mr.  Dinsmore's  offered 
arm,  and  Elsie  asked,  "  Aren't  you  going  with  us, 
Mr.  Edward?  " 

"  Not  this  time,"  he  answered,  smiling.  "  I 
have  an  engagement  to  play  a  game  of  chess  with 
one  of  the  ladies  in  the  parlor  yonder." 

"  Then  I  shall  have  papa's  other  hand,"  she 
said,  taking  possession  of  it. 

She  was  very  merry  and  talkative,  but  neither 
of  her  companions  seemed  much  disposed  to  an- 
swer her  remarks.  They  were  following  the 
same  path  they  had  taken  the  night  before,  and 
the  thoughts  of  both  were  very  busy  with  the  past 
and  the  future. 

At  length  they  reached  the  rustic  seat  where 
they  had  sat  while  Mr.  Dinsmore  told  his  story, 
and  he  inquired  of  Eose  if  she  would  like  to  stop 
and  rest. 

She  assented,  recognizing  the  place  with  a 
smile  and  a  blush,  and  they  sat  down. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  35 

"  Papa,"  said  Elsie,  "  I  am  not  tired,  mayn't  I 
run  on  to  the  top  of  that  hill  yonder?  " 

"  Yes,  if  you  will  not  go  out  of  sight  or  hear- 
ing, so  that  I  can  see  that  you  are  safe,  and  within 
call  when  I  want  you,"  he  replied,  and  she 
bounded  away. 

Eose  was  sitting  thoughtfully,  with  her  eyes 
upon  the  ground,  while  those  of  her  companion 
were  following  the  graceful  figure  of  his  little 
girl,  as  she  tripped  lightly  along  the  road. 

"  Mr.  Dinsmore,"  Eose  began. 

"  I  beg  pardon,  but  were  you  speaking  to  me?  " 
he  asked,  turning  to  her  with  a  half  smile. 

"  Certainly,"  she  replied,  smiling  in  return; 
"  there  is  no  one  else  here." 

"Weil  then,  Eose,  dear,  please  to  remember 
£hat  I  don't  answer  to  that  name  from  your  lips, 
at  least  not  when  we  are  alone.  I  am  not  Mr. 
Dinsmore  to  you,  unless  you  mean  to  be  Miss 
Allison  to  me,"  he  added,  taking  her  hand  and 
gazing  tenderly  into  her  blushing  face. 

"  Oh!  no,  no;  I  would  not  have  you  call  me 
that!" 

"  Well  then,  dear  Eose,  I  want  you  to  call  me 
Horace.  I  would  almost  as  soon  think  of  being 
Mr.  Dinsmore  to  Elsie,  as  to  you.  And  now, 
what  were  you  going  to  say  to  me  ?  " 

"  Only  that  I  wish  to  set  out  on  my  homeward 
way  to-night,  with  Edward.  I  think  it  would  be 
best,  more  especially  as  mamma  has  written  com- 
plaining of  our  long  absence,  and  urging  a  speedj 
return." 

"  Of  course  your  mother's  wishes  are  the  first 
to  be  consulted,  until  you  have  given  me  a  prior 


36  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

right,"  he  said,  in  a  playful  tone;  "  and  so  I  sup* 
pose  Elsie  and  I  will  be  obliged  to  continue  our 
journey  by  ourselves.  But  when  may  I  claim  you 
for  my  own  indeed?  Let  it  be  as  soon  as  possible, 
dearest,  for  I  feel  that  I  ought  to  return  to  my 
home  ere  long,  and  I  am  not  willing  to  do  so  with- 
out my  wife." 

"  I  must  have  a  few  weeks  to  prepare;  you 
know  a  lady's  wardrobe  cannot  be  got  ready  in  a 
day.  What  would  you  say  to  six  weeks?  I  am. 
afraid  mamma  would  think  it  entirely  too  short.'* 

"  Six  weeks,  dear  Eose?  why  that  would  bring 
us  to  the  middle  of  November.  Surely  a  month 
will  be  long  enough  to  keep  me  waiting  for  my 
happiness,  and  give  the  dressmakers  sufficient 
time  for  their  work.  Let  us  say  one  month  from 
to-day." 

Eose  raised  one  objection  after  another,  but  he 
overruled  them  all  and  pleaded  his  cause  so  ear- 
nestly that  he  gained  his  point  at  last,  and  the 
wedding  was  fixed  for  that  day  month,  provided 
the  consent  of  her  parents,  to  so  sudden  a  parting 
with  their  daughter,  could  be  obtained. 

While  Eose  was  at  home  making  her  prepara- 
tions, Mr.  Dinsmore  and  his  daughter  were  visiting 
the  great  lakes,  and  travelling  through  Canada. 
He  heard  frequently  from  her,  and  there  were 
always  a  few  lines  to  Elsie,  which  her  father 
allowed  her  to  answer  in  a  little  note  enclosed  in 
his;  and  sometimes  he  read  her  a  little  of  his  own, 
or  of  Miss  Eose's  letter,  which  she  always  con- 
sidered a  very  great  treat. 

New  York  City  was  their  last  halting  place  on 
their  route,  and  there  they  spent  nearly  two 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  37 

weeks  in  shopping  and  sight-seeing.  Mr.  Pins- 
more  purchased  an  elegant  set  of  furniture  for 
his  wife's  boudoir,  and  sent  it  on  to  his  home, 
with  his  orders  to  Mrs.  Murray  concerning  its  ar- 
rangement. To  this  he  added  a  splendid  set  of 
diamonds  as  his  wedding  gift  to  his  bride,  while 
Elsie  selected  a  pair  of  very  costly  bracelets  as 
hers. 

They  arrived  in  Philadelphia  on  Tuesday  after- 
noon, the  next  morning  being  the  time  appointed 
for  the  wedding.  Mr.  Dinsmore  himself  went  to 
his  hotel,  but_sent  Elsie  and  her  nurse  to  Mr.  Alli- 
son's, as  he  had  been  urgently  requested  to  do, 
the  family  being  now  in  occupation  of  their  town 
residence. 

Elsie  found  the  whole  house  in  a  bustle  of 
preparation.  Sophy  met  her  at  the  door  and 
carried  her  off  at  once  to  her  own  room,  eager  to 
display  what  she  called  "her  wedding  dress." 
She  was  quite  satisfied  with  the  admiration  Elsie 
expressed.  "  But  I  suppose  you  bought  ever  so 
many  new  dresses,  and  lots  of  other  pretty  things, 
in  New  York?  "  she  said  inquiringly. 

"  Yes;  papa  and  I  together.  And  don't  you 
think,  Sophy,  he  let  me  help  him  choose  some  of 
his  clothes,  and  he  says  he  thinks  I  have  very 
good  taste  in  ladies'  and  gentlemen's  dress  too." 

"  That  was  right  kind  of  him,  but  isn't  it  odd, 
and  real  nice  too,  that  he  and  Rose  are  going  to 
get  married?  I  was  so  surprised.  Do  you  like 
it,  Elsie?  and  shall  you  call  her  mamma?" 

"  Oh,  yes,  of  course.  I  should  be  quite 
wretched  if  papa  were  going  to  marry  any  one 
else;  but  I  love  Miss  Eose  dearly,  and  I  am  very 


38  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

glad  she  is  coming  to  us.  I  think  it  is  very  good 
of  her,  and  papa  thinks  so  too." 

"  Yes/'  replied  Sophy  honestly,  "  and  so  do  I; 
for  I  am  sure  I  shouldn't  like  to  leave  papa  and 
mamma  and  go  away  off  there  to  live,  though  I 
do  like  you  very  much,  Elsie,  and  your  papa  too. 
Only  think!  he  is  going  to  be  my  brother;  and 
then  won't  you  be  some  sort  of  relation  too?  I 
guess  I'll  be  your  aunt,  won't  I?  " 

'•'  I  don't  know;  I  haven't  thought  about  it," 
said  Elsie;  while  at  the  same  instant  Harold  put 
his  head  in  at  the  half-open  door,  saying,  "  Of 
course  you  will;  and  I'll  be  her  uncle." 

The  little  girls  were  quite  startled  at  first,  but 
seeing  who  it  was,  Elsie  ran  towards  him,  holding 
out  her  hand. 

"  How  do  you  do,  Harold?  "  she  said;  "  I  am 
glad  to  see  you." 

He  had  his  satchel  of  books  on  his  arm. 
"  Thank  you,  how  are  you?  I  am  rejoiced  to  see 
you  looking  so  well,  but,  as  for  me,  I  am  quite 
sick — of  lessons,"  he  replied  in  a  melancholy 
tone,  and  putting  on  a  comically  doleful  ex- 
pression. 

Elsie  laughed  and  shook  her  head.  "  I  thought 
you  were  a  good  boy  and  quite  fond  of  your 
books." 

"  Commonly,  I  believe  I  am,  but  not  in  these 
wedding  times.  It's  quite  too  bad  of  your  father, 
Elsie,  to  be  carrying  off  Rose,  when  he  won't  let 
us  have  you.  But  never  mind,  I'll  be  even  with 
him  some  of  these  days;"  and  he  gave  her  a  mean- 
ing look. 

"  Come  in,  Harold,  and  put  your  books  down/' 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  39 

said  Sophy;  "you  can  afford  to  spend  a  few 
minutes  talking  to  Elsie,  can't  you?" 

"  I  think  I  will! "  he  replied,  accepting  her  in- 
vitation. 

They  chatted  for  some  time,  and  then  Adelaide 
came  in.  Elsie  had  heard  that  she  was  coming, 
on  to  be  first  bridesmaid.  "  Elsie,  dear,  how  glad 
I  am  to  see  you!  and  how  well  and  happy  you  are 
looking! "  she  exclaimed,  folding  her  little  niece 
in  her  arms,  and  kissing  her  fondly.  "  But 
come,"  she  added,  taking  her  by  the  hand  and 
leading  her  into  the  next  room,  "  Miss  Kose  came 
in  from  her  shopping  only  a  few  minutes  ago,  and 
she  wants  to  see  you." 

Eose  was  standing  by  the  toilet-table,  gazing 
intently,  with  a  blush  and  a  smile,  at  something 
she  held  in  her  hand.  She  laid  it  down  as  they 
came  in,  and  embracing  the  little  girl  affection- 
ately, said  how  very  glad  she  was  to  see  her. 

Then,  turning  to  the  table  again,  she  took  up 
what  she  had  been  looking  at — which  proved  to 
be  a  miniature  of  Mr.  Dinsmore — and  handed  it 
to  Adelaide,  saying,  "Is  it  not  excellent?  and  so 
kind  and  thoughtful  of  him  to  give  it  to  me." 

"  It  is  indeed  a  most  perfect  likeness,"  Ade- 
laide replied.  "  Horace  is  very  thoughtful  about 
these  little  matters.  I  hope  he  will  make  you 
very  happy,  dear  Kose.  I  cannot  tell  you  how 
glad  I  was  when  I  heard  you  were  to  be  my 
sister." 

"  You  have  seemed  like  a  sister  to  me  ever  since 
the  winter  I  spent  with  you,"  said  Eose.  And 
then  she  began  questioning  Elsie  about  her  jour- 
ney, and  asking  if  she  were  not  fatigued,  and 


40  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

would  not  like  to  lie  down  and  rest  a  little  before 
tea. 

"No  thank  you,"  Elsie  said;  "you  know  it  is 
only  a  short  trip  from  New  York,  and  I  am  not 
at  all  tired." 

Just  then  the  tea-bell  rang,  and  Rose  laughed 
and  said  it  was  well  Elsie  had  not  accepted  her 
invitation. 

On  going  down  to  tea  they  found  Mr.  Dinsmore 
and  Mr.  Travilla  there.  Elsie  was  delighted  to 
meet  her  old  friend,  and  it  was  evident  that  he 
had  already  made  himself  a  favorite  with  all  the 
children,  from  Harold  down  to  little  May. 

The  wedding  was  a  really  brilliant  affair.  The 
bride  and  her  attendants  were  beautifully  dressed 
and,  as  every  one  remarked,  looked  very  charm- 
ing. At  an  early  hour  in  the  morning  carriages' 
were  in  waiting  to  convey  the  bridal  party  and 
the  family  to  the  church  where  the  ceremony  was 
to  be  performed.  When  it  was  over  they  re- 
turned to  the  house,  where  an  elegant  breakfast 
was  provided  for  a  large  number  of  guests;  after 
which  there  was  a  grand  reception  for  several 
hours.  Then,  when  the  last  guest  had  departed, 
Eose  retired  to  her  own  room,  appearing  shortly 
afterwards  at  the  family  dinner-table  in  her 
pretty  travelling  dress,  looking  very  sweet  and 
engaging,  but  sober  and  thoughtful,  as  were  also 
her  father  and  brothers;  while  Mrs.  Allison's  eyes 
were  constantly  filling  with  tears  at  the  thought 
of  losing  her  daughter. 

There  was  very  little  eating  done,  and  the  con- 
versation flagged  several  times  in  spite  of  the 
efforts  of  the  gentlemen  to  keep  it  up.  At  length 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  41 

ail  rose  from  the  table,  and  gathered  in  the  par- 
lor for  a  few  moments.  Then  came  the  parting, 
and  they  were  gone;  and  Mrs.  Allison,  feeling 
almost  as  if  she  had  buried  her  daughter,  tried  to 
forget  her  loss  by  setting  herself  vigorously  to 
work  overseeing  the  business  of  putting  her 
house  in  order. 

Eose's  feelings  were  mingled.  She  wept  for  a 
time,  but  the  soothing  tenderness  of  her  hus- 
band's manner,  and  Elsie's  winning  caresses,  soon 
restored  her  to  herself,  and  smiles  chased  away 
the  tears. 

They  had  a  very  pleasant  journey,  without  ac- 
cident or  detention,  and  arrived  in  due  time  at 
their  own  home,  where  they  were  welcomed  with 
every  demonstration  of  delight. 

Eose  was  charmed  with  the  Oaks,  thought  it 
even  more  lovely  than  either  Eoselands  or  Elin- 
grove,  and  Mr.  Dinsmore  and  Elsie  intensely  en- 
joyed her  pleasure  and  admiration. 

Then  came  a  round  of  parties,  which  Elsie 
thought  extremely  tiresome,  as  she  could  have  no 
share  in  them,  and  was  thus  deprived  of  the  com- 
pany of  her  papa  and  mamma  almost  every  even- 
ing for  several  weeks.  But  at  last  that  too  was 
over,  and  they  settled  down  into  a  quiet,  home 
life,  that  suited  them  all  much  better,  for  neither 
Mr.  Dinsmore  nor  Eose  was  very  fond  of  gayety. 

And  now  Elsie  resumed  her  studies  regularly, 
reciting  as  before  to  her  father;  while  Eose  under- 
took to  instruct  her  in  the  more  feminine 
branches  of  housekeeping  and  needlework,  and  a 
master  came  from  the  city  several  times  a  week 
to  give  her  lessons  in  music  and  drawing.  She 


42  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

had  been  so  long  without  regular  employment 
that  she  found  it  very  difficult  at  first  to  give  her 
mind  to  her  studies,  as  she  had  done  in  former 
days;  but  her  father,  though  kind  and  consider- 
ate, was  very  firm  with  her,  and  she  soon  fell  into 
the  traces  and  worked  as  diligently  as  ever. 

Elsie  did  not  find  that  her  father's  marriage 
brought  any  uncomfortable  change  to  her. 
There  was  no  lessening  of  his  love  or  care;  she 
saw  as  much  of  him  as  before,  had  full  possession 
of  her  seat  upon  his  knee,  and  was  caressed  and 
fondled  quite  as  often  and  as  tenderly  as  ever. 

And  added  to  all  this  were  Rose's  love  and 
sweet  companionship,  which  were  ever  grateful  to 
the  little  girl,  whether  they  were  alone  or  with 
her  father.  Elsie  loved  her  new  mamma  dearly 
and  was  as  respectful  and  obedient  to  her  as  to 
her  father,  though  Rose  never  assumed  any  au- 
thority; which,  however,  was  entirely  unneces- 
sary, as  a  wish  or  request  from  her  was  sure  to  be 
attended  to  as  if  it  had  been  a  command. 

And  Rose  was  very  happy  in  her  new  home. 
Mr.  Dinsmore's  family  were  pleased  with  the 
match  and  treated  her  most  kindly,  while  he  was 
always  affectionate,  thoughtful,  and  attentive; 
not  less  devoted  as  a  husband  than  as  a  father. 
They  were  well  suited  in  taste  and  disposition; 
seldom  had  the  slightest  disagreement  on  any 
subject,  and  neither  had  ever  cause  to  regret  the 
step  they  had  taken,  for  each  day  they  lived  to- 
gether seemed  but  to  increase  their  love  for  each 
other,  and  for  their  little  daughter,  as  Mr.  Dins- 
more  delighted  to  call  her,  always  giving  Rose  a 
share  in  the  ownership. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Of  ali  the  joys  that  brighten  suffering  earth 
WLat  joy  is  welcomed  like  a  new-born  child? 

—MRS.    NOKTON. 

"  MASSA  wants  you  for  to  come  right  along  to 
him  in  de  study,  darlin',  jis  as  soon  as  your  ole 
mammy  kin  get  you  dressed/'  said  Chloe,  one 
morning  to  her  nursling. 

"What  for,  mammy?"  Elsie  asked  curiously, 
for  she  noticed  an  odd  expression  on  her  nurse's 
face. 

"  Massa  didn't  tell  me  nuffin  'bout  what  he 
wanted,  an'  I  spects  you'll  have  to  ax  hisself,"  re- 
plied Chloe  evasively. 

Elsie's  curiosity  was  excited,  and  she  hastened 
to  the  study  as  soon  as  possible.  Her  father  laid 
down  his  paper  as  she  entered,  and  held  out  his 
hand  with  a  smile  as  he  bade  her  good-morning, 
and  it  struck  her  that  there  was  an  odd  twinkle 
in  his  eye  also,  while  she  was  certain  that  she 
could  not  be  mistaken  in  the  unusually  joyous 
expression  of  his  countenance. 

"  Good-morning,  papa.  But  where  is  mam- 
ma?" she  asked,  glancing  about  the  room  in 
search  of  her. 

"  She  is  not  up  yet,  but  do  you  sit  down  here 
in  your  little  rocking  chair.  I  have  something 
for  you." 

He  left  the  room  as  he  spoke,  returning  again 

43 


44  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

in  a  moment,  carrying  what  Elsie  thought  was  a 
strange-looking  bundle. 

"There!  hold  out  your  arms/'  he  said;  and 
placing  it  in  them.,  he  gently  raised  one  corner  of 
the  blanket,  displaying  to  her  astonished  view  a 
tiny  little  face. 

"  A  baby!  Oh,  the  dear  little  thing! "  she  ex- 
claimed in  tones  of  rapturous  delight.  Then 
looking  up  into  his  face,  "  Did  you  say  I  might 
have  it,  papa?  whose  baby  is  it?  " 

"  Ours;  your  mamma's  and  my  son,  and  your 
brother,"  he  answered,  gazing  down  with  intense 
pleasure  at  her  bright,  happy  face,  sparkling  all 
over  with  delight. 

"  My  little  brother!  my  darling  little  brother," 
she  murmured,  looking  down  at  it  again,  and  ven- 
turing to  press  her  lips  gently  to  its  soft  velvet 
cheek.  "  Oh,  papa,  I  am  so  glad,  so  glad!  I  have 
eo  wanted  a  little  brother  or  sister.  Is  not  God 
very  good  to  give  him  to  us,  papa?  "  And  happy, 
grateful  tears  were  trembling  in  the  soft  eyes  as 
she  raised  them  to  his  face  again. 

"  Yes,"  he  said,  bending  down  and  kissing  first 
her  cheek,  and  then  the  babe's,  "  I  feel  that  God 
has  indeed  been  very  good  to  me  in  bestowing 
upon  me  two  such  treasures  as  these." 

"  What  is  his  name,  papa?  "  she  asked. 

"  He  has  none  yet,  my  clear." 

"  Then,  papa,  do  let  him  be  named  Horace,  for 
you;  won't  you  if  mamma  is  willing?  And  then 
I  hope  he  will  grow  up  to  be  just  like  you;  as 
handsome  and  as  good." 

"  I  should  like  him  to  be  a  great  deal  better, 
daughter/'  he  answered  with  a  grave  smile;  "  and 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  45 

about  the  name — I  don't  know  yet;  I  should  pre- 
fer some  other,  but  your  mamma  seems  to  want 
that,  and  I  suppose  she  has  the  best  right  to  name 
him;  but  we  will  see  about  it." 

"  Better  give  little  marster  to  me  now,  Miss 
Elsie,"  remarked  his  nurse,  stepping  up,  "I 
reckon  your  little  arms  begin  to  feel  tired."  And 
taking  the  babe  she  carried  him  from  the 
room. 

Nothing  could  have  better  pleased  Mr.  Dins- 
more  than  Elsie's  joyous  welcome  to  her  little 
brother;  though  it  was  scarcely  more  than  he  had 
expected. 

"  My  own  darling  child;  my  dear,  dear  little 
daughter,"  he  said,  taking  her  in  his  arms  and 
kissing  her  again  and  again.  "  Elsie,  dearest, 
you  are  very  precious  to  your  father's  heart." 

"  Yes,  papa,  I  know  it,"  she  replied,  twining 
her  arms  about  his  neck,  and  laying  her  cheek  to 
his;  "  I  know  you  love  me  dearly,  and  it  makes 
me  so  very  happy." 

"May  I  go  in  to  see  mamma?"  she  asked 
presently. 

"No,  darling,  not  yet:  she  is  not  able  to  see 
you;  but  she  sends  her  love,  and  hopes  she  may 
be  well  enough  to  receive  a  visit  from  you  to- 
morrow." 

"  Poor  mamma!  I  am  sorry  she  is  ill,"  she  said 
sorrowfully;  "but  I  will  try  to  keep  everything 
Very  quiet  that  she  may  not  be  disturbed." 

That  evening,  after  tea,  Elsie  was  told  that  she 
would  be  allowed  to  speak  to  her  mamma  for  a 
moment  if  she  chose,  and  she  gladly  availed  her- 
self of  the  privilege. 


46  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"Dear  Elsie,"  Eose  whispered,  drawing  her 
down  to  kiss  her  cheek,  "  I  am  so  glad  you  are 
pleased  with  your  little  brother." 

"  Oh,  mamma,  he  is  such  a  dear  little  fellow  1 " 
Elsie  answered  eagerly;  "  and  now,  if  you  will  onty 
get  well  we  will  be  happier  than  ever." 

Rose  smiled  and  said  she  hoped  soon  to  be 
quite  well  again,  and  then  Mr.  Dinsmore  led  Elsie 
from  the  room. 

Eose  was  soon  about  again  and  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  her  usual  health  and  strength.  Elsie's 
delight  knew  no  bounds  the  first  time  her  mamma 
was  able  to  leave  her  room,  and  take  her  place  at 
the  table  with  her  father  and  herself.  She  doted 
on  her  little  brother,  and,  if  allowed,  would  have 
had  him  in  her  arms  more  than  half  the  time; 
but  he  was  a  plump  little  fellow,  and  soon  grew  so 
large  and  heavy  that  her  father  forbade  her  carry- 
ing him  lest  she  should  injure  herself;  but  she 
would  romp  and  play  with  him  by  the  hour  while 
he  was  in  the  nurse's  arms,  or  seated  on  the  bed; 
and  when  any  of  her  little  friends  called,  she 
could  not  be  satisfied  to  let  them  go  away  with- 
out seeing  the  baby. 

The  first  time  Mr.  Travilla  called,  after  little 
Horace's  arrival,  she  exhibited  her  treasure  to 
him  with  a  great  deal  of  pride,  asking  if  he  did 
not  envy  her  papa. 

"  Yes,"  he  said,  looking  admiringly  at  her,  and 
then  turning  away  with  a  half  sigh. 

A  few  minutes  afterwards  he  caught  hold  of 
her,  set  her  on  his  knee,  and  giving  her  a  kiss, 
said,  "  I  wish  you  were  ten  years  older,  Elsie,  or  I 
ten  years  younger." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  49 

"Why,  Mr.  Travilla?"  she  asked  rather  won- 
deringly. 

"  Oh,  because  we  would  then  be  nearer  of  an 
age,  and  maybe  you  would  like  me  better." 

"  No,  I  wouldn't,  not  a  bit,"  she  said,  putting 
her  arm  round  his  neck,  "  for  I  like  you  now  just 
as  well  as  I  could  like  any  gentleman  but  papa." 

The  elder  Mr.  Dinsmore  was  very  proud  of  his 
little  grandson  and  made  a  great  pet  of  him,  com- 
ing to  the  Oaks  much  more  frequently  after  his 
birth  than  before. 

Once  he  spoke  of  him  as  his  first  grandchild. 

"  You  forget  Elsie,  father,"  said  Horace,  put- 
ting his  arm  round  his  little  girl,  who  happened 
to  be  standing  by  his  side,  and  giving  her  a  ten- 
der, loving  look. 

He  greatly  feared  that  the  marked  difference 
his  father  made  between  the  two  would  wound 
Elsie's  sensitive  spirit,  and  perhaps  even  arouse  a 
feeling  of  jealousy  towards  her  little  brother; 
therefore,  when  his  father  was  present,  he  was 
even  more  than  usually  affectionate  in  his  manner 
towards  her,  if  that  were  possible. 

But  Elsie  had  no  feeling  of  the  kind;  she  had 
long  ceased  to  expect  any  manifestation  of  affec- 
tion from  her  grandfather  towards  herself,  but 
was  very  glad  indeed  that  he  could  love  her  dear 
little  brother. 

"  Ah,  yes!  to  be  sure,  I  did  forget  Elsie,"  re- 
plied the  old  gentleman  carelessly;  "  she  is  the 
first  grandchild  of  course;  but  this  fellow  is  the 
first  grandson,  and  quite  proud  of  him  I  am.  He 
is  a  pretty  boy,  and  is  going  to  be  the  very  image 
of  his  father." 


48  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"I  hope  lie  will,  father,"  said  Rose,  looking 
proudly  at  her  husband.  And  then  she  added, 
with  an  affectionate  glance  at  Elsie:  "  If  he  is 
only  as  good  and  obedient  as  his  sister,  I  shall  be 
quite  satisfied  with  him.  "We  could  not  ask  a 
better  child  than  our  dear  little  daughter,  nor 
love  one  more  than  we  do  her;  she  is  a  great  com- 
fort and  blessing  to  us  both/' 

The  color  mounted  to  Elsie's  cheek,  and  her 
eyes  beamed  with  pleasure.  Mr.  Dinsmore,  too, 
looked  very  much  gratified,  and  the  old  gentle- 
man could  not  fail  to  perceive  that  the  difference 
he  made  between  the  children  was  quite  distaste- 
ful to  both  parents. 


CHAPTER  V. 

A  lovely  being,  scarcely  formed  or  moulded, 
A  rose  with  all  its  sweetest  leaves  yet  folded. 

— BYKON. 

ELSIE  was  nearly  twelve  when  her  little  brother 
was  born.  During  the  next  three  years  she  led  a 
life  of  quiet  happiness,  unmarked  by  any  striking 
event.  There  were  no  changes  in  the  little 
family  at  the  Oaks  but  such  as  time  must  bring 
to  all.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dinsmore  perhaps  looked  a 
trifle  older  than  when  they  married,  Elsie  was 
budding  into  womanhood  as  fair  and  sweet  a 
flower  as  ever  was  seen,  and  the  baby  had  grown 
into  a  healthy  romping  boy. 

At  Eoselands,  on  the  contrary,  there  had  been 
many  and  important  changes.  Louise  and  Lora 
were  both  married;  the  former  to  a  resident  of 
another  State,  who  had  taken  her  to  his  distant 
home;  the  latter  to  Edward  Howard,  an  older 
brother  of  Elsie's  friend  Carrie.  They  had  not 
left  the  neighborhood,  but  were  residing  with 
bis  parents. 

For  the  last  two  or  three  years  Arthur  Dins- 
more  had  spent  his  vacations  at  home;  he  was 
doing  so  now,  having  just  completed  his  freshman, 
year  at  Princeton.  On  his  return  Walter  was  to 
accompany  him  and  begin  his  college  career. 

Miss  Day  left  soon  after  Lora's  marriage  and 


50  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

no  effort  had  been  made  to  fill  her  place,  Adelaide 
having  undertaken  to  act  as  governess  to  Enna, 
now  the  only  remaining  occupant  of  the  school- 
room. 

Taking  advantage  of  an  unusually  cool  hreezy 
afternoon,  Elsie  rode  over  to  Tinegrove,  Mr. 
Howard's  plantation — to  make  a  call.  She  found 
the  family  at  home  and  was  urged  to  stay  to  tea; 
but  declined,  saying  she  could  not  without  per- 
mission, and  had  not  asked  it. 

"You  will  at  least  take  off  your  hat,"  said 
Carrie. 

"  No,  thank  you,"  Elsie  answered,  "  it  is  not 
worth  while,  as  I  must  go  so  soon.  If  you  will 
excuse  me,  I  can  talk  quite  as  well  with  it  on/ 

They  had  not  met  for  several  weeks  and  found 
a  good  deal  to  say  to  each  other.  At  length  Elsie 
drew  out  her  watch. 

"Ah!"  she  exclaimed,  "I  have  overstayed  my 
time!  I  had  no  idea  it  was  so  late — you  have 
been  so  entertaining;  but  I  must  go  now."  And 
she  rose  hastily  to  take  leave. 

"  Nonsense! "  said  her  Aunt  Lora  in  whose 
boudoir  they  were  sitting,  "  there  is  no  such  great 
hurry,  I  am  sure.  You'll  get  home  long  before 
dark." 

"  Yes,  and  might  just  as  well  stay  another  five 
or  ten  minutes.  I  wish  you  would;  for  I  have 
ever  so  much  to  say  to  you,"  urged  Carrie. 

"  It  would  be  very  pleasant,  thank  you,  but  in- 
deed I  must  not.  See  how  the  shadows  are 
lengthening,  and  papa  does  not  at  all  like  to  have 
me  out  after  sunset  unless  he  is  with  me." 

"  He  always  was  overcaref ul  of  you,  erring  on 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  51 

the  right  side,  I  suppose,  if  that  be  an  allowable 
expression,"  laughed  Lora,  as  she  and  Carrie  fol- 
lowed Elsie  to  the  door  to  see  her  mount  her 
horse. 

The  adieus  were  quickly  spoken  and  the  young 
girl,  just  touching  the  whip  to  the  sleek  side  of 
her  pony,  set  off  at  a  gallop,  closely  followed  by 
her  faithful  attendant  Jim. 

Several  miles  of  rather  a  lonely  road  lay  be- 
tween them  and  home,  and  no  time  was  to  be 
lost,  if  they  would  reach  the  Oaks  while  the  sun 
was  still  above  the  horizon. 

They  were  hardly  more  than  half  a  mile  from 
the  entrance  to  the  grounds,  when  Elsie  caught 
sight  of  a  well-known  form  slowly  moving  down 
the  road  a  few  paces  ahead  of  them.  It  was 
Arthur,  and  she  soon  perceived  that  it  was  his 
intention  to  intercept  her;  he  stopped,  turning 
his  face  toward  her,  sprang  forward  as  she  came 
up.  and  seized  her  bridle. 

"  Stay  a  moment,  Elsie,"  he  said,  "  I  want  to 
speak  to  you." 

"  Then  come  on  to  the  Oaks,  and  let  us  talk 
there;  please  do,  for  I  am  in  a  hurry." 

"  No,  I  prefer  to  say  my  say  where  I  am.  I'll 
not  detain  you  long.  You  keep  out  of  earshot, 
Jim.  I  want  to  borrow  a  little  money,  Elsie;  a 
trifle  of  fifty  dollars  or  so.  Can  you  accommo- 
date me?" 

"Not  without  papa's  knowledge,  Arthur.  So 
I  hope  you  do  not  wish  to  conceal  the  matter 
from  him." 

"  I  do.  I  see  no  reason  why  he  should  know  all 
about  my  private  affairs.  Can't  you  raise  that 


52  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

much  without  applying  to  him?  Isn't  your  al- 
lowance very  large  now?" 

"  Fifty  dollars  a  month,  Arthur,  but  subject  to 
the  same  conditions  as  of  old.  I  must  account 
to  papa  for  every  cent.'5 

"  Haven't  you  more  than  that  in  hand  now?  " 

"  Yes,  but  what  do  you  want  it  for?  " 

"  That's  neither  your  business  nor  his;  let  me 
have  it  for  two  weeks,  I'll  pay  it  back  then, 
and  in  the  meantime  he  need  know  nothing 
about  it." 

"  I  cannot;  I  never  have  any  concealments  from 
papa,  and  I  must  give  in  my  acount  in  less  than  a 
week." 

"  Nonsense!  You  are  and  always  were  the  most 
disobliging  creature  alive!"  returned  Arthur 
with  an  oath. 

"  Oh,  Arthur,  how  can  you  say  such  wicked 
words,"  she  said,  recoiling  from  him  with  a  shud- 
der. "  And  you  quite  misjudge  me.  I  would  be 
glad  to  do  anything  for  you  that  is  right.  If  you 
will  let  me  tell  papa  your  wish,  and  he  gives  con- 
sent, you  shall  have  the  money  at  once.  Now 
please  let  me  go.  The  sun  has  set  and  I  shall  be 
so  late  that  papa  will  be  anxious  and  much  dis- 
pleased." 

"Who  cares  if  he  is!"  he  answered  roughly, 
still  retaining  his  hold  upon  her  bridle,  and  com- 
pelling her  to  listen  while  he  continued  to  urge 
his  request;  enforcing  it  with  arguments  and 
threats. 

They  were  alike  vain,  she  steadfastly  refused 
to  grant  it  except  on  the  conditions  she  had 
aamed,  and  which  he  determinately  rejected — 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  53 

and  insisted  being  left  free  to  pursue  her  home- 
ward way. 

He  grew  furious,  and  at  length  with  a  shock- 
ing oath  released  her  bridle,  but  at  the  same  in- 
stant struck  her  pony  a  severe  blow  upon  his 
haunches,  with  a  stout  stick  he  held  in  his  hand. 

The  terrified  animal,  smarting  with  the  pain, 
started  aside,  reared  and  plunged  in  a  way  that 
would  have  unseated  a  less  skilful  rider,  and  had 
nearly  thrown  Elsie  from  the  saddle:  then  darted 
off  at  the  top  of  its  speed;  but  fortunately  turned 
in  at  the  gate  held  open  by  Jim,  who  had  ridden 
on  ahead  and  dismounted  for  that  purpose. 

"  Whoa,  you  Glossy!  whoa  dere! "  he  cried, 
springing  to  the  head  of  the  excited  animal,  and 
catching  its  bridle  in  his  powerful  grasp. 

"  Just  lead  her  for  a  little,  Jim,"  said  Elsie 
"There,  there!  my  poor  pretty  Glossy,  be  quiet 
now.  It  was  too  cruel  to  serve  you  so;  but  it 
shan't  happen  again  if  your  mistress  can  help  it," 
she  added  in  a  voice  tremulous  with  sympathy 
and  indignation,  patting  and  stroking  her  pony 
caressingly  as  she  spoke. 

Jim  obeyed,  walking  on  at  a  brisk  pace,  lead- 
ing Glossy  with  his  right  hand,  and  keeping  the 
bridle  of  the  other  horse  over  his  left  arm. 

"  I'll  walk  the  rest  of  the  way,  Jim,"  said  Elsie 
presently,  "  just  stop  her  and  let  me  get  down. 
There,"  springing  lightly  to  the  ground,  "you 
may  lead  them  both  to  the  stable  now." 

She  hurried  forward  along  the  broad,  gravelled 
winding  carriage  road  that  led  to  the  house.  The 
next  turn  brought  her  face  to  face  with  her, 
father. 


54  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"What,  Elsie!  alone  and  on  foot  at  this  late 
hour?  "  he  said  in  a  tone  of  mingled  surprise  and 
reproof. 

"  I  have  been  riding,  papa,  and  only  a  mo- 
ment since  dismounetd  and  let  Jim  lead  the 
horses  down  the  other  road  to  the  stables." 

"  Ah,  but  how  did  you  come  to  be  so  late?  "  he 
asked,  drawing  her  hand  within  his  arm  and  lead- 
ing her  onward. 

"  I  have  been  to  Tinegrove,  sir,  and  Aunt  Lora, 
Carrie,  and  I  found  so  much  to  say  to  each  other, 
that  the  time  slipped  away  before  I  knew  it." 

"  It  must  not  happen  again,  Elsie." 

"  I  do  not  mean  it  shall,  papa,  and  I  am  very 
sorry." 

"  Then  I  excuse  you  this  once,  daughter;  it  is 
not  often  you  give  me  occasion  to  reprove 
you." 

"Thank  you,  papa,"  she  said  with  a  grateful, 
loving  look.  "Did  you  come  out  in  search  of 
me?" 

"  Yes,  your  mamma  and  I  had  begun  to  grow 
anxious  lest  some  accident  had  befallen  you. 
Our  little  daughter  is  such  a  precious  treasure 
that  we  must  needs  watch  over  her  very  care- 
fully," he  added  in  a  tone  that  was  half  playful, 
half  tender,  while  he  pressed  the  little  gloved 
hand  in  his,  and  his  eyes  rested  upon  the  sweet 
fair  face  with  an  expression  of  proud  fatherly 
affection. 

Her  answering  look  was  full  of  filial  reverence 
and  love.  "  Dear  papa,  it  is  so  nice  to  be  so  loved 
and  cared  for;  so  sweet  to  hear  such  words  from 
your  lips.  I  do  believe  I'm  the  very  happiest  girl 


ELSIE  8  GIRLHOOD.  M 

in  the  land."  She  had  already  almost  forgotten' 
Arthur  and  his  rudeness  and  brutality. 

"And  I  the  happiest  father,"  he  said  with  a 
pleased  smile.  "  Ah,  here  comes  mamma  to  meet 
us  with  little  Horace." 

The  child  ran  forward  with  a  glad  shout  to 
Meet  his  sister,  Eose  met  her  with  loving  words 
and  a  fond  caress;  one  might  have  thought  from 
their  joyous  welcome,  that  she  was  returning 
after  an  absence  of  weeks  or  months  instead  of 
hours.  Letting  go  her  father's  arm  as  they 
stepped  upon  the  piazza  Elsie  began  a  romping 
play  with  her  little  brother,  but  at  a  gentle  re- 
minder from  her  mamma  that  the  tea  bell  would 
soon  ring,  ran  away  to  her  own  apartments  to 
have  her  riding  habit  changed  for  something 
more  suitable  for  the  drawing  room. 

Chloe  was  in  waiting  and  her  skilful  hands 
made  rapid  work,  putting  the  last  touches  to  her 
nursling's  dress  just  as  the  summons  to  the  sup- 
per table  was  given. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  was  quite  as  fastidious  as  in  for- 
mer days  in  regard  to  the  neatness  and  tasteful- 
Bess  of  Elsie's  attire. 

"Will  I  do,  papa?"  she  asked,  presenting  her- 
self before  him,  looking  very  sweet  and  fair  in 
a  simple  white  dress  with  blue  sash  and  ribbons. 

"Yes,"  he  said  with  a  satisfied  smile,  "I  see 
nothing  amiss  with  dress,  hair,  or  face." 

"Nor  do  I,"  said  Kose,  leading  the  way  to  the 
supper  room,  "  Aunt  Chloe  is  an  accomplished 
tirewoman.  But  come,  let  us  sit  down  to  our 
meal  and  have  it  over." 

On  their  return  to  the  drawing  room  they; 


56  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

found  Mr.  Travilla  comfortably  ensconced  in  an 
easy  chair,  reading  the  evening  paper.  He  was  an 
almost  daily  visitor  at  the  Oaks,  and  seldom  came 
without  some  little  gift  for  one  or  both  of  his 
friend's  children.  It  was  for  Elsie  to-night. 
When  the  usual  greetings  had  been  exchanged,  he 
turned  to  her,  saying,  "  I  have  brought  you  j 
treat.  Can  you  guess  what  it  is?  " 

"A  book!'"' 

"Ah,  there  must  be  something  of  the  Yankee 
about  you,"  he  answered,  laughing.  "  Yes,  it  is 
a  book  in  two  volumes;  just  published  and  a  most 
delightful,  charming  story,"  he  went  on,  drawing 
them  from  his  pockets,  and  handing  them  to  her 
as  he  spoke. 

"  Oh,  thank  you,  sir! "  she  cried  with  eager 
gratitude,  "  I'm  so  glad,  if — if  only  papa  will  al- 
low me  to  read  it.  May  I,  papa?  " 

"  I  can  tell  better  when  I  have  examined  it,  my 
child,"  Mr.  Dinsmore  answered,  taking  one  of  the 
volumes  from  her  hands  and  looking  at  the  title 
on  the  back.  « <  The  Wide,  Wide  World! '  What 
sort  of  a  book  is  it,  Travilla?  " 

"  A  very  good  sort,  I  think.  Just  glance 
through  it  or  read  a  few  pages,  and  Fm  pretty 
cure  it  will  be  sufficient  to  satisfy  you  of,  not  only 
its  harmleesness,  but  that  its  perusal  would  be  a 
benefit  to  almost  any  one." 

Mr.  Dinsmore  did  so,  Elsie  standing  beside  him, 
her  hand  upon  his  arm,  and  her  eyes  on  his  face — 
anxiously  watching  its  changes  of  expression  as 
he  read.  They  grew  more  and  more  satisfactory; 
the  book  was  evidently  approving  itself  to  his 
taste  and  judgment,  and  presently  he  returned  it 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  57 

fo  her,  saying,  \vith  a  kind  fatherly  smile,  "  Yes, 
my  child,  you  may  read  it.  I  have  no  doubt  it  de- 
serves all  the  praise  Mr.  Travilla  has  given  it.' 

"  Oh,  thank  you,  papa,  I'm  very  glad,"  she  an- 
swered joyously,  "  I  am  just  hungry  for  a  nice 
story."  And  seating  herself  near  the  light,  she 
was  soon  lost  to  everything  about  her  in  the  deep 
interest  with  which  she  was  following  Ellen 
Montgomery  through  her  troubles  and  trials. 

She  was  loath  to  lay  the  book  aside  when  at  the 
usual  hour — a  quarter  before  nine — the  bell  rang 
for  prayers.  She  hardly  heeded  the  summons 
till  her  papa  laid  his  hand  on  her  shoulder,  say- 
ing, "  Come,  daughter,  you  must  not  be  left  be- 
hind," 

She  started  up  then,  hastily  closing  the  book, 
and  followed  the  others  to  the  dining  room, 
where  the  servants  were  already  assembled  to 
take  part  in  the  family  devotions. 

Mr.  Travilla  went  away  immediately  after  and 
now  it  was  Elsie's  bed-time.  Her  father  re- 
minded her  of  it  as,  on  coming  back  from  seeing 
his  friend  to  the  door,  he  found  her  again  poring 
over  the  book. 

"  Oh,  papa,  it  is  so  interesting!  could  you  let 
me  finish  this  chapter?  "  she  asked  with  a  very 
entreating  look  up  into  his  face  as  he  stood  at 
her  side. 

"  I  suppose  I  could  if  I  should  make  a  great 
effort,"  he  answered  laughingly.  "  Yes,  you  may, 
for  once,  but  don't  expect  always  to  be  allowed 
to  do  so." 

"  No,  sir,  oh,  no.     Thank  you,  sir." 

"Well,  have  you  come  to  a  good  stopping- 


58  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

place?  "  he  asked,  as  she  presently  closed  the  book 
and  put  it  aside  with  a  slight  sigh. 

"No,  sir,  it  is  just  as  bad  a  one  as  the  other. 
Papa,  I  wish  I  was  grown  up  enough  to  read  an- 
other hour  before  going  to  bed." 

"  I  don't,"  he  said,  drawing  her  to  a  seat  upon 
his  knee,  and  passing  his  arm  about  her  waist, 
"  I'm  not  ready  to  part  with  my  little  girl  yet." 

"Wouldn't  a  fine  young  lady  daughter  be  just 
as  good  or  better  ?  "  she  asked,  giving  him  a  hug. 

"  No,  not  now,  some  of  these  days  I  may  think 

80." 

"  But  mayn't  I  stay  up  and  read  till  ten  to- 
night?" 

He  shook  his  head.  "Till  half-past  nine, 
then?" 

"  No,  not  even  till  quarter  past.  Ah,  it  is  that 
now,"  he  added,  consulting  his  watch. 

"  You  must  say  good-night  and  go.  Early 
hours  and  plenty  of  sleep  for  my  little  girl,  that 
she  may  grow  up  to  healthful,  vigorous  woman- 
hood, capable  of  enjoying  life  and  being  very  use- 
ful in  the  church  and  the  world."  He  kissed  her 
with  grave  tenderness  as  he  spoke. 

"  Good-night  then,  you  dear  father,"  she  said, 
returning  the  caress.  "  I  know  you  would  in- 
dulge me  if  you  thought  it  for  my  good." 

"  Indeed  I  would,  pet.  Would  it  help  to  recon- 
cile you  to  the  denial  of  your  wish  to  know  that  I 
shall  be  reading  the  book,  and  probably  enjoying 
it  as  much  as  you  would?  " 

"  Ah  yes,  indeed,  papa !  it  is  a  real  pleasure  to 
resign  it  to  you,"  she  answered  with  a  look  of  de- 
light. "  It's  just  the  nicest  story!  at  least  as  far 


ELBE'S  GIRLHOOD.  5* 

as  I've  read.  Eead  it  aloud  to  mamma,  won't 
you?' 

"  Yes,  if  she  wishes  to  hear  it.  Now  away  with 
you  to  your  room  and  your  bed." 

Only  waiting  to  bid  her  mamma  an  affection- 
ate good-night,  Elsie  obeyed,  leaving  the  room 
with  a  light  step,  and  a  cheerful,  happy  face. 

"  Dear  unselfish  child! "  her  father  said,  look- 
ing after  her. 

"  She  is  that  indeed,"  said  Rose.  "  How  happy 
shall  I  be  if  Horace  grows  up  to  be  as  good  and 
lovable." 

Elsie  was  a  fearless  horsewoman,  accustomed 
to  the  saddle  from  her  very  early  years.  Thus 
Arthur's  wanton  attack  upon  her  pony  had  failed 
to  give  her  nerves  the  severe  shock  it  might  have 
caused  to  those  of  most  young  girls  of  her  age. 
Her  feeling  was  more  of  excitement,  and  of  in- 
dignation at  the  uncalled-for  cruelty  to  a  dumb 
animal,  especially  her  own  pet  horse,  than  of 
fright  at  the  danger  to  herself.  But  she  well 
knew  that  the  latter  was  what  her  father  would 
think  of  first,  and  that  he  would  be  very  angry 
with  Arthur;  therefore  she  had  tried,  and  suc- 
cessfully, to  control  herself  and  suppress  all  signs 
of  agitation  on  meeting  him  upon  her  return. 

She  felt  glad  now  as  the  affair  recurred  to  her 
recollection  while  preparing  for  the  night's  rest, 
that  she  had  been  able  to  do  so.  For  a  moment 
she  questioned  with  herself  whether  she  was  quite 
right  to  have  this  concealment  from  her  father, 
but  quickly  decided  that  she  was.  Had  the  wrong- 
doing been  her  own — that  would  have  made  ik 
altogether  another  matter. 


60  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

She  was  shocked  at  Arthur's  wickedness, 
troubled  and  anxious  about  his  future,  but  freely 
forgave  his  crime  against  her  pony  and  herself, 
and  mingled  with  her  nightly  petitions  an  ear- 
nest prayer  for  his  conversion,  and  his  welfare 
temporal  and  spiritual. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

O  love  !  thou  sternly  dost  thy  power  maintain, 
And  wilt  not  bear  a  rival  in  thy  reign. 

— DRYDEN. 

IT  was  the  middle  of  the  forenoon,  and  Elsie  in 
her  own  pretty  little  sitting  room  was  busied  with 
her  books;  so  deep  in  study  indeed,  that  she  never 
noticed  a  slight  girlish  figure  as  it  glided  in  at 
the  glass  doors  opening  upon  the  lawn,  to-day 
set  wide  to  admit  the  air  coming  fresh  and  cool 
with  a  faint  odor  of  the  far-off  sea,  pleasantly 
mingling  with  that  of  the  flowers  in  the  garden, 
on  the  other  side  of  the  house. 

"Buried  alive  in  her  books!  Dear  me!  what 
a  perfect  paragon  of  industry  you  are,"  cried  the 
intruder  in  a  lively  tone.  "I  wish  you  would 
imbue  me  with  some  of  your  love  of  study." 

"  Why,  Lucy  Carrington!  how  did  you  get 
here?"  and  Elsie  pushed  her  books  away,  rose 
hastily  and  greeted  her  friend  with  an  affectionate 
embrace. 

"  How?  I  came  in  through  yonder  door,  miss; 
after  riding  my  pony  from  Ashlands  to  the  front 
entrance  of  this  mansion,"  replied  Lucy,  courtesy- 
ing  low  in  mock  reverence.  "  I  hope  your  ladyship 
will  excuse  the  liberty  I  have  taken  in  venturing 
uninvited  into  your  sanctum." 

"  Provided  your  repentance  is  deep  aad  sin* 
cere,"  returned  Elsie  in  the  same  jesting  tone, 


«2  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  Certainly,  I  solemnly  pledge  myself  never  to 
do  it  again  till  the  next  time." 

"  Sit  down,  won't  you?  "  and  Elsie  pushed  for- 
ward a  low  rocking  chair.  "  It's  so  pleasant  to 
gee  you.  But  if  I  had  thought  about  it  at  all  I 
should  have  supposed  you  were  at  home,  and  as 
busy  over  books  and  lessons  as  I." 

"No;  my  respected  governess,  Miss  Warren, 
not  feeling  very  well,  has  taken  a  week's  holiday, 
and  left  me  to  do  the  same.  Fancy  my  afflicted 
state  at  the  thought  of  laying  aside  my  beloved 
books  for  seven  or  eight  whole  days." 

'*  You  poor  creature!  how  I  pity  you,"  said 
Elsie,  laughing;  "  suppose  you  stay  here  and  share 
the  instructions  of  my  tutor;  I  have  no  doubt 
I  could  persuade  him  to  receive  you  as  a 
pupil." 

"  Horrors!  I'm  much  obliged,  very  much,  but 
I  should  die  of  fright  the  first  time  I  had  to  re- 
cite. There,  I  declare  I'm  growing  poetical,  talk- 
ing in  rhyme  all  the  time." 

"  Let  mammy  take  your  hat  and  scarf,"  said 
Elsie.  "  You'll  stay  and  spend  the  day  with  me, 
won't  you?  " 

"  Thank  you,  no;  I  came  to  carry  you  off  to 
Ashlands  to  spend  a  week.  Will  you  come  ?  " 

"  I  should  like  to,  dearly  well,  if  papa  gives  per- 
mission." 

"  Well,  run  and  ask  him." 

"  I  can't;  unfortunately  he  is  out,  and  not  ex- 
pected to  return  till  tea-time." 

"  Oh,  pshaw!  how  provoking!  But  can't  your 
mamma  give  permission  just  as  well?  " 

"If  it  were  only  for  a  day  she  might,  but  I 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  6S 

know  she  would  say  the  question  of  a  longer  visit 
must  be  referred  to  papa." 

"Dear  me!  I  wouldn't  be  you  for  something. 
Why,  I  never  ask  leave  of  anybody  when  I  want 
to  pay  a  visit  anywhere  in  the  neighborhood.  I 
tell  mamma  I'm  going,  and  that's  all-sufficient. 
I  don't  see  how  you  stand  being  ordered  about 
and  controlled  so." 

"  If  you'll  believe  me,"  said  Elsie,  laughing  a 
gay,  sweet,  silvery  laugh,  "  I  really  enjoy  being 
controlled  by  papa.  It  saves  me  a  deal  of  trouble 
and  responsibility  in  the  way  of  deciding  for  my- 
self; and  then  I  love  him  so  dearly  that  I  almost 
always  feel  it  my  greatest  pleasure  to  do  what- 
ever pleases  him." 

"  And  he  always  was  so  strict  with  you." 

"  Yes,  he  is  strict;  but  oh,  so  kind." 

"  But  that's  just  because  you're  so  good;  he'd 
have  an  awful  time  ruling  me.  I'd  be  in  a 
chronic  state  of  disgrace  and  punishment;  and 
he  obliged  to  be  so  constantly  reproving  me  and 
frowning  sternly  upon  my  delinquencies  that  he'd 
never  be  able  to  don  a  smile  of  approval  or  slip 
in  a  word  of  praise  edgewise." 

"  Indeed  you're  not  half  so  bad  as  you  pre- 
etnd,"  said  Elsie,  laughing  again;  "nor  I  half 
so  good  as  you  seem  determined  to  believe 
me." 

"  No,  I've  no  doubt  that  you're  an  arch  hypo- 
crite, and  we  shall  find  out  one  of  these  days  that 
you  are  really  worse  than  any  of  the  rest  of  us. 
But  now  I  must  finish  my  errand  and  go,  for  I 
know  you're  longing  to  be  at  those  books.  Do 
you  get  a  ferruling  every  time  you  miss  a  word? — • 


«4  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

and  enjoy  the  pain  because  it  pleases  papa  to  in- 
flict it?" 

"  Oh,  Lucy,  how  can  you  be  so  ridiculous?  "  and 
a  quick,  vivid  blush  mounted  to  Elsie's  very  hair. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  Elsie,  dear,  I  had  no  busi- 
ness to  say  such  a  thing,"  cried  Lucy,  springing 
up  to  throw  her  arms  round  her  friend  and  kiss 
her  warmly;  "but  of  course  it  was  nothing  but 
the  merest  nonsense.  I  know  well  enough  your 
papa  never  does  anything  of  the  kind." 

"  No;  if  my  lessons  are  not  well  prepared  they 
have  to  be  learned  over  again,  that  is  all;  and  if 
I  see  that  papa  is  displeased  with  me,  I  assure  you 
it  is  punishment  enough." 

"  Do  you  think  he'll  let  you  accept  my  invita- 
tion?" 

"  I  don't  know,  indeed,  Lucy.  I  think  he  will 
hardly  like  to  have  me  give  up  my  studies  for  that 
length  of  time,  and  in  fact  I  hardly  like  to  do  so 
myself." 

"  Oh,  you  must  come.  You  can  practise  on 
my  piano  every  day  for  an  hour  or  two,  if  you 
like.  We'll  learn  some  duets.  And  you  can 
bring  your  sketch-book  and  carry  it  along  when 
we  walk  or  ride,  as  we  shall  every  day.  And  we 
might  read  some  improving  books  together, — 
you  and  Herbert,  and  I.  He  is  worse  again,  poor 
fellow!  so  that  some  days  he  hardly  leaves  his 
couch  even  to  limp  across  the  room,  and  it's 
partly  to  cheer  him  up  that  we  want  you  to  come. 
There's  nothing  puts  him  into  better  spirits  than 
a  sight  of  your  face." 

"  You  don't  expect  other  company?  " 

"No,  except  on  our  birthday;  but  then  we're 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  65 

going  to  have  a  little  party,  just  of  our  own  set, — 
we  boys  and  girls  that  have  grown  up — or  are 
growing  up — together,  as  one  may  say.  Oh,  yes, 
1  want  to  have  Carrie  Howard,  Mary  Leslie,  and 
Enna  stay  a  day  or  two  after  the  party.  Now 
coax  your  papa  hard,  for  we  must  have  you,"  she 
added,  rising  to  go. 

"  That  would  be  a  sure  way  to  make  him  say 
no,"  said  Elsie,  smiling;  "  he  never  allows  me  to 
coax  or  tease;  at  least,  not  after  he  has  once  an- 
swered my  request." 

"Then  don't  think  of  it.  Good-bye.  No, 
don't  waste  time  in  coming  to  see  me  off,  but  go 
back  to  your  books  like  a  good  child.  I  mean  to 
have  a  little  chat  with  your  mamma  before  I  go." 

Elsie  returned  to  her  lessons  with  redoubled 
energy.  She  was  longing  to  become  more  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  Ellen  Montgomery,  but 
resolutely  denied  herself  even  so  much  as  a  peep 
at  the  pages  of  the  fascinating  story-book  until 
her  allotted  tasks  should  be  faithfully  performed. 

These,  with  her  regular  daily  exercise  in  the 
open  air,  filled  up  the  morning;  there  was  a  half 
hour  before,  and  another  after  dinner,  which  she 
could  call  her  own;  then  two  hours  for  needle- 
work, music,  and  drawing,  and  she  was  free  to 
employ  herself  as  she  would  till  bed-time. 

That  was  very  apt  to  be  in  reading,  and  if  the 
weather  was  fine  she  usually  carried  ner  book  to 
an  arbor  at  some  distance  from  the  house.  It 
was  reached  by  a  long  shaded  walk  that  led  to  it 
from  the  lawn,  on  which  the  glass  doors  of  her 
pretty  boudoir  opened.  It  was  a  cool,  breezy, 
guiet  spot,  on  a  terraced  hillside,  commanding  a 


66  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

lovely  view  of  vale,  river,  and  woodland,  and  from 
being  so  constantly  frequented  by  our  heroine, 
had  come  to  be  called  by  her  name, — "  Elsie's 
Arbor."  Arthur,  well  acquainted  with  these 
tastes  and  habits,  sought  and  found  her  here  on 
the  afternoon  of  this  day — found  her  so  deeply 
absorbed  in  Miss  Warner's  sweet  story  that  she 
was  not  aware  of  his  approach — so  full  of  sym- 
pathy for  little  Ellen  that  her  tears  were  dropping 
upon  the  page  as  she  read. 

"  What,  crying,  eh?  "  he  said  with  a  sneer,  as 
he  seated  himself  by  her  side,  and  rudely  pulled 
one  of  her  curls,  very  much  as  he  had  been  used 
to  do  years  ago.  "  Well,  I  needn't  be  surprised, 
for  you  always  were  the  greatest  baby  I  ever  saw." 

"  Please  let  my  hair  alone,  Arthur;  you  are  not 
very  polite  in  either  speech  or  action,"  she  an- 
swered, brushing  away  her  tears  and  moving  a 
little  farther  from  him. 

"  It's  not  worth  while  to  waste  politeness  on 
you.  What's  that  you're  reading?  " 

"  A  new  book  Mr.  Travilla  gave  me." 

"  Has  no  name,  eh?  " 

«  Yes,  <  Wide,  Wide  World.' " 

*'  Some  namby-pamby  girl's  story,  I  s'pose, 
since  you're  allowed  to  read  it;  or  are  you  doing 
it  on  the  sly?" 

"  No,  I  never  do  such  things,  and  hope  I  never 
shall;  papa  gave  me  permission." 

"  Oh;  ah!  then  I  haven't  got  you  in  my  power: 
\yish  I  had." 

"Why?" 

*'  Because  I  might  turn  it  to  good  account.  I 
know  you  are  as  afraid  as  death  of  Horace." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  67 

"No,  I  am  not!"  cried  Elsie  indignantly,  the 
rich  color  rushing  all  over  her  fair  face  and  neck; 
"  for  I  know  that  he  loves  me  dearly,  and  if  I  had 
been  disobeying  or  deceiving  him  I  would  far 
sooner  throw  myself  on  his  mercy  than  on  yours." 

"You  would,  eh?  How  mad  you  are;  your 
face  is  as  red  as  a  beet.  A  pretty  sort  of  Chris- 
tian you  are,  aren't  you?  " 

"I  am  not  perfect,  Arthur;  but  you  mustn't 
judge  of  religion  by  me." 

"I  shall,  though.  Don't  you  wish  I'd  go 
away? "  he  added  teasingly,  again  snatching  at 
her  curls. 

But  she  eluded  his  grasp,  and  rising,  stood  be- 
fore him  with  an  air  of  gentle  dignity.  "  Yes," 
she  said,  "  since  you  ask  me,  I'll  own  that  I  do. 
I  don't  know  why  it  is  that,  though  your  manners 
are  polished  when  you  choose  to  make  them  so, 
you  are  always  rude  and  ungentlemanly  to  me 
when  you  find  me  alone.  So  I  shall  be  very  glad 
if  you'll  just  go  away  and  leave  me  to  solitude 
and  the  enjoyment  of  my  book." 

"  I'll  do  so  when  I  get  ready;  not  a  minute 
sooner.  But  you  can  get  rid  of  me  just  as  soon 
as  you  like.  I  see  you  take.  Yes,  I  want  that 
money  I  asked  you  for  yesterday,  and  I  am  bound 
to  have  it." 

"Arthur,  my  answer  must  be  just  the  same 
that  it  was  then;  I  can  give  you  no  other." 

"You're  the  meanest  girl  alive!  To  my  cer- 
tain knowledge  you  are  worth  at  least  a  million 
and  a  half,  and  yet  you  refuse  to  lend  me  the 
pitiful  sum  of  fifty  dollars." 

"Arthur,  you  know  I  have  no  choice  in  the 


68  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

mattei.  Papa  has  forbidden  me  to  lend  you 
money  without  his  knowledge  and  consent,  and  I 
cannot  disobey  him." 

"When  did  he  forbid  you?" 

"  A  long  while  ago;  and  though  he  has  said 
nothing  about  it  lately,  he  has  told  me  again  and 
again  that  his  commands  are  always  binding  until 
he  revokes  them." 

"  Fifteen  years  old,  and  not  allowed  to  do  as 
you  please  even  with  your  pocket  money! "  he 
said  contemptuously.  "  Do  you  expect  to  be  in 
leading-strings  all  your  life?  " 

"  I  shall  of  course  have  control  of  my  own 
money  matters  on  coming  of  age;  but  I  expect  to 
obey  my  father  as  long  as  we  both  live,"  she  an- 
swered, with  gentle  but  firm  decision. 

"Do  you  have  to  show  your  balance  in  hand 
when  you  give  in  your  account?  " 

"No;  do  you  suppose  papa  cannot  trust  my 
word?"  she  answered,  somewhat  indignantly. 

"  Then  you  could  manage  it  just  as  easily  as 
not.  There's  no  occasion  for  him  to  know 
whether  your  balance  in  hand  is  at  that  moment 
in  your  possession  or  mine;  as  I  told  you  before, 
I  only  want  to  borrow  it  for  two  weeks.  Come, 
let  me  have  it.  If  you  don't,  the  day  will  come 
when  you'll  wish  you  had." 

She  repeated  her  refusal;  he  grew  very  angry 
and  abusive,  and  at  length  went  so  far  as  to  strike 
her. 

A  quick  step  sounded  on  the  gravel  walk,  a 
strong  grasp  was  laid  on  Arthur's  arm,  he  felt 
himself  suddenly  jerked  aside  and  flung  upon  his 
knees,  while  a  perfect  rain  of  stinging,  smarting 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  «9 

blows  descended  rapidly  upon  his  back  and  shoul- 
ders. 

"  There,  you  unmitigated  scoundrel,  you  mean, 
miserable  caitiff;  lay  your  hand  upon  her  again 
if  you  dare!  "  cried  Mr.  Travilla,  finishing  the 
castigation  by  applying  the  toe  of  his  boot  to  Ar- 
thur's nether  parts  with  a  force  that  sent  him 
reeling  some  distance  down  the  walk,  to  fall  with 
a  heavy  thud  upon  the  ground. 

The  lad  rose,  white  with  rage,  and  shook  his 
fist  at  his  antagonist.  "I'll  strike  her  when  I 
please,"  he  said  with  an  oath,  "  and  not  be  called 
to  account  by  you  for  it  either;  she's  my  niece, 
and  nothing  to  you." 

"  I'll  defend  her  nevertheless,  and  see  to  it  that 
you  come  to  grief  if  you  attempt  to  harm  her  in 
any  way  whatever.  Did  he  hurt  you  much,  my 
child  ?  "  And  Mr.  Travilla's  tone  changed  to  one 
of  tender  concern  as  he  turned  and  addressed 
Elsie,  who  had  sunk  pale  and  trembling  upon  the 
rustic  seat  where  Arthur  had  found  her. 

"  No,  sir,  but  I  fear  you  have  hurt  him  a  good 
deal,  in  your  kind  zeal  for  my  defence,"  she  an- 
swered, looking  after  Arthur,  as  he  limped  away 
down  the  path. 

"  I  have  broken  my  cane,  that  is  the  worst  of 
it,"  said  her  protector  coolly,  looking  regretfully 
down  at  the  fragment  he  still  held  in  his  hand. 

"  You  must  have  struck  very  hard,  and  oh,  Mr. 
Travilla,  what  if  he  should  take  it  into  his  head 
to  challenge  you?"  and  Elsie  turned  pale  with 
terror. 

"  Never  fear;  he  is  too  arrant  a,  coward  for  that; 
!he  knows  I  am  a  good  shot,  and  that,  as  the  chal- 


70  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

lenged  party,  I  would  have  the  right  to  the  choice 
of  weapons." 

"  But  you  wouldn't  fight,  Mr.  Tra villa?  you  do 
not  approve  of  duelling?  " 

"  No,  no  indeed,  Elsie;  both  the  laws  of  God 
and  of  the  land  are  against  it,  and  I  could  not 
engage  in  it  either  as  a  good  citizen  or  a  Chris- 
tian." 

"  Oh,  I  am  so  glad  of  that,  and  that  you  came 
to  my  rescue;  for  I  was  really  growing  frightened, 
Arthur  seemed  in  such  a  fury  with  me." 

"What  was  it  about?" 

Elsie  explained,  then  asked  how  he  had  hap- 
pened to  come  to  her  aid. 

"  I  had  learned  from  the  servants  that  your 
father  and  mother  were  both  out,  so  came  here 
in  search  of  you,"  he  said.  "  As  I  drew  near  I 
saw  that  Arthur  was  with  you,  and  not  wishing  to 
overhear  your  talk,  I  waited  at  a  little  distance 
up  there  on  the  bank,  watching  you  through  the 
trees.  I  perceived  at  once  that  he  was  in  a  tow- 
ering passion,  and  fearing  he  would  ill-treat  you 
in  some  way,  I  held  myself  in  readiness  to  come  to 
your  rescue;  and  when  I  saw  him  strike  you,  such 
a  fury  suddenly  came  over  me  that  I  could  not 
possibly  refrain  from  thrashing  him  for  it." 

"Mr.  Tra  villa,  you  will  not  tell  papa?"  she 
said  entreatingly. 

"  My  child,  I  am  inclined  to  think  he  ought  to 
hear  of  it." 

"  Oh,  why  need  he?  It  would  make  him  very 
angry  with  Arthur." 

"  Which  Arthur  richly  deserves.  I  think  your 
father  should  know,  in  order  that  he  may  take 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  71 

measures  for  your  protection.  Still,  if  you 
promise  not  to  ride  or  walk  out  alone  until  Arthur 
has  left  the  neighborhood,  it  shall  be  as  you  wish. 
But  you  must  try  to  recover  your  composure,  or 
your  papa  will  be  sure  to  ask  the  cause  of  your 
agitation.  You  are  trembling  very  much,  and 
the  color  has  quite  forsaken  your  cheeks." 

"I'll  try,"  she  said,  making  a  great  effort  to 
control  herself,  "  and  I  give  you  the  promise." 

"  This  is  a  very  pleasant  place  to  sit  with  book 
or  work."  he  remarked,  "  but  I  would  advise  you 
not  even  to  come  here  alone  again  tillArthur  has 
gone." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,  I  think  I  shall  follow  your 
advice.  It  will  be  only  a  few  weeks  now  till  he 
and  Walter  both  go  North  to  college." 

"  I  see  you  have  your  book  with  you,"  he  said, 
taking  it  up  from  the  seat  where  it  lay.  "  How 
do  you  like  it?" 

"  Oh,  so  much!  How  I  pity  poor  Ellen  for 
having  such  a  father,  so  different  from  my  dear 
papa;  and  because  she  had  to  be  separated  from 
her  mamma,  whom  she  loved  so  dearly.  I  can't 
read  about  her  troubles  without  crying,  Mr. 
Travilla." 

"  Shall  I  tell  you  a  secret,"  he  said,  smiling;  "  I 
shed  some  tears  over  it  myself."  Then  he  went 
on  talking  with  her  about  the  different  characters 
of  the  story,  thus  helping  her  to  recover  her  com- 
posure by  turning  her  thoughts  from  herself  and 
Arthur. 

When,  half  an  hour  later,  a  servant  came  to 
summon  her  to  the  house,  with  the  announcement 
that  her  father  had  returned  and  was  readv  to 


72  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

hear  her  recitations,  all  signs  of  agitation  had 
disappeared;  she  had  ceased  to  tremble,  and  her 
fair  face  was  as  sweet,  bright,  and  rosy  as  its 
wont. 

She  rose  instantly  on  hearing  the  summons. 
"  You'll  excuse  me,  I  know,  Mr.  Travilla.  But 
will  you  not  go  in  with  me  ?  We  are  always  glad 
to  have  you  with  us.  I  have  no  need  to  tell  you 
that,  I  am  sure." 

"  Thank  you/'  he  said,  "  but  I  must  return  to 
Ion  now.  I  shall  walk  to  the  house  with  you 
though,  if  you  will  permit  me,"  he  added,  think- 
ing that  Arthur  might  be  still  lurking  somewhere 
within  the  grounds. 

She  answered  gayly  that  she  would  be  very 
glad  of  his  company.  She  had  lost  none  of  her 
old  liking  for  her  father's  friend,  and  was  wont 
to  treat  him  with  the  easy  and  affectionate  famil- 
iarity she  might  have  used  had  he  been  her  uncle. 

They  continued  their  talk  till  they  had  reached 
the  lawn  at  the  side  of  the  house  on  which  her 
apartments  were;  then  he  turned  to  bid  her  good- 
bye. 

"  I'm  much  obliged! "  she  said,  taking  his 
offered  hand,  and  looking  up  brightly  into  his 
face. 

"  Welcome,  fair  lady;  but  am  I  to  be  dismissed 
without  any  reward  for  my  poor  services?  " 

"  I  have  none  to  offer,  sir  knight,  but  you  may 
help  yourself  if  you  choose,"  she  said,  laughing 
and  blushing,  for  she  knew  very  well  what  he 
meant. 

He  stooped  and  snatched  a  kiss  from  her  ruby 
lips,  then  walked  away  sighing  softly  to  him- 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  V3 

self,  "  Ah,  little  Elsie,  if  I  were  but  ten  years 
younger! " 

She  tripped  across  the  lawn,  and  entering  the 
jpen  door  of  her  boudoir,  found  herself  in  he* 
father's  arms.  He  had  witnessed  the  little  scene 
just  enacted  between  Mr.  Travilla  and  herself. 
had  noticed  something  in  his  friend's  look  and 
manner  that  had  never  struck  him  before.  He. 
folded  his  child  close  to  his  heart  for  an  instant, 
then  held  her  off  a  little,  gazing  fondly  into  her 
face. 

"  You  are  mine;  you  belong  to  me;  no  other 
earthly  creature  has  the  least  shadow  of  a  right 
or  title  in  you;  do  you  know  that?  " 

"  Yes,  papa,  and  rejoice  to  know  it,"  she  mur- 
mured, putting  her  arms  about  his  neck  and  lay- 
ing her  head  against  his  breast. 

"Ah!"  he  said,  sighing,  "you  will  not  always 
be  able  to  say  that,  I  fear.  One  of  these  days 

you  will "  He  broke  off  abruptly,  without 

finishing  his  sentence. 

She  looked  up  inquiringly  into  his  face. 

He  answered  her  look  with  a  smile  and  a  ten- 
der caress.  "  I  had  better  not  put  the  nonsense 
into  your  head:  it  will  get  there  soon  enough 
without  my  help.  Come  now,  let  us  have  the 
lessons.  I  expect  to  find  them  well  prepared,  as 
usual/' 

"  I  hope  so,  papa/'  she  answered,  bringing  her 
books  and  seating  herself  on  a  stool  at  his  feet, 
he  having  taken  possession  of  an  easy-chair. 

The  recitations  seemed  a  source  of  keen  enjoy- 
ment to  both;  the  one  loving  to  impart,  and  the 
other  to  receive,  knowledge. 


?4  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  gave  the  deserved  meed  of  warm 
praise  for  the  faithful  preparation  of  each  al- 
lotted task,  prescribed  those  for  the  coming  day, 
and  the  books  were  laid  aside. 

"  Come  here,  daughter,"  he  said,  as  she  closed 
her  desk  upon  them,  "  I  have  something  to  say 
to  you." 

"  What  is  it,  papa?  "  she  asked,  seating  herself 
upon  his  knee.  "  How  very  grave  you  look." 
But  there  was  not  a  touch  of  the  old  fear  in  her 
face  or  voice,  as  there  had  been  none  in  his  of 
the  old  sternness. 

"  Yes,  for  I  am  about  to  speak  of  a  serious 
matter,"  he  answered,  gently  smoothing  back  the 
clustering  curls  from  her  fair  brow,  while  he 
looked  earnestly  into  the  soft  brown  eyes.  "  You 
have  not  been  lending  money  to  Arthur,  Elsie?" 

The  abrupt,  unexpected  question  startled  her, 
and  a  crimson  tide  rushed  over  her  face  and  neck; 
but  she  returned  her  father's  gaze  steadily:  "No, 
papa;  how  could  you  think  I  would  disobey  you 
so?" 

"  I  did  not,  darling,  and  yet  I  felt  that  I  must 
ask  the  question  and  repeat  my  warning,  my  com- 
mand to  you — never  to  do  so  without  my  knowl- 
edge and  consent.  Your  grandfather  and  I  are 
much  troubled  about  the  boy." 

"I  am  so  sorry,  papa;  I  hope  he  has  not  been 
doing  anything  very  bad." 

"  He  seems  to  have  sufficient  cunning  to  hide 
many  of  his  evil  deeds,"  Mr.  Dinsmore  said,  with 
a  sigh;  "yet  enough  has  come  to  light  to  con- 
vince us  that  he  is  very  likely  to  become  a  shame 
and  disgrace  to  his  family.  We  know  that  he  is 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  75 

profane,  and  to  some  extent,  at  least,  intemperate 
and  a  gambler.  A  sad,  sad  beginning  for  a  boy 
of  seventeen.  And  to  furnish  him  with  money, 
Elsie,  would  be  only  to  assist  him  in  his  down- 
ward course." 

"  Yes,  papa,  I  see  that.  Poor  grandpa,  I'm  so 
sorry  for  him!  But,  papa,  God  can  change  Ar- 
thur's heart,  and  make  him  all  we  could  wish." 

"  Yes,  daughter,  and  we  will  agree  together  to 
ask  Him  to  do  this  great  work,  so  impossible  to 
any  human  power;  shall  we  not?  " 

"  Yes,  papa."  They  were  silent  a  moment; 
then  she  turned  to  him  again,  told  of  Lucy  Car- 
rington's  call  and  its  object,  and  asked  if  she 
might  accept  the  invitation. 

He  considered  a  moment.  "  Yes,"  he  said 
kindly,  "  you  may  if  you  wish.  You  quite  de- 
serve a  holiday,  and  I  think  perhaps  would  really 
be  the  better  of  a  week's  rest  from  study.  Go  and 
enjoy  yourself  as  much  as  you  can,  my  darling." 

"  Thank  you,  you  dearest,  kindest,  and  best  of 
papas,"  she  said,  giving  him  a  hug  and  kiss. 
"But  I  think  you  look  a  little  bit  sorry.  You. 
would  rather  I  should  stay  at  home,  if  I  could 
content  myself  to  do  so,  and  it  would  be  a  strange 
thing  if  I  could  not." 

"  No,  my  pet,  I  shall  miss  you,  I  know;  the 
house  always  seems  lonely  without  you;  but  I  can 
spare  you  for  a  week,  and  would  rather  have  you 
go,  because  I  think  the  change  will  do  you  good. 
Besides,  I  am  willing  to  lend  my  treasure  for  a 
few  days  to  our  friends  at  Ashlands.  I  would 
gladly  do  more  than  that,  if  I  could,  for  that  poor 
suffering  Herbert" 


CHAPTER  VII. 

How  many  pleasant  faces  shed  their  light  on  every  side. 

— T  UPPER. 

"  REMEMBEE  it  is  for  only  one  week;  you  must 
be  back  again  next  "Wednesday  by  ten  o'clock;  I 
can't  spare  you  an  hour  longer,"  Mr.  Dinsmore 
said,  as  the  next  morning,  shortly  after  breakfast, 
he  assisted  his  daughter  to  mount  her  pony. 

"  Ten  o'clock  at  night,  papa?  "  asked  Elsie  in 
a  gay,  jesting  tone,  as  she  settled  herself  in  the 
saddle,  and  took  a  little  gold-mounted  riding  whip 
from  his  hand. 

"  No,  ten  A.  M.,  precisely." 

"  But  what  if  it  should  be  storming,  sir?  " 

"  Then  come  as  soon  as  the  storm  is  over." 

"  Yes,  sir;  and  may  I  come  sooner  if  I  get  home- 
sick?" 

Just  as  soon  as  you  please.  Now,  good-bye, 
my  darling.  Don't  go  into  any  danger.  I  know 
I  need  not  remind  you  to  do  nothing  your  father 
would  disapprove." 

"  I  hope  not,  papa,"  she  said,  with  a  loving 
look  into  the  eyes  that  were  gazing  so  fondly 
upon  her.  Then  kissing  her  hand  to  him  and  her 
mamma  and  little  Horace,  who  stood  on  the 
veranda  to  see  her  off,  she  turned  her  horse's 
head  and  cantered  merrily  away,  taking  the  road 
to  Ashlands  on  passing  out  at  the  gate. 

It  was  a  bright,  breezy  morning,  and  her  heart 

76 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  77 

felt  so  light  and  gay  that  a  snatch  of  glad  song 
rose  to  her  lips.  She  warbled  a  few  bird-like 
notes,  then  fell  to  humming  softly  to  herself. 

At  a  little  distance  down  the  road  a  light  wagon 
was  rumbling  along,  driven  by  one  of  the  man- 
servants from  the  Oaks,  and  carrying  Aunt  Chloe 
and  her  young  mistress'  trunks. 

"Come,  Jim,"  said  Elsie,  glancing  over  her 
shoulder  at  her  attendant  satellite,  "  we  must 
pass  them.  Glossy  and  I  are  in  haste  to-day. 
Ah,  mammy,  are  you  enjoying  your  ride?"  she 
called  to  her  old  nurse  as  she  cantered  swiftly  by. 

"Yes,  dat  I  is,  honey!"  returned  the  old 
woman.  Then  sending  a  loving,  admiring  look 
after  the  retreating  form  so  full  of  symmetry  and 
grace,  "My  bressed  chile!"  she  murmured, 
"  you's  beautiful  as  de  mornin',  your  ole  mammy 
tinks,  an'  sweet  as  de  finest  rose  in  de  garden; 
bright  an'  happy  as  de  day  am  long,  too." 

"  De  beautifullest  in  all  de  country,  an'  de 
finest,"  chimed  in  her  charioteer. 

The  young  people  at  Ashlands  were  all  out  on 
the  veranda  enjoying  the  fresh  morning  air — 
Herbert  lying  on  a  lounge  with  a  book  in  his 
hand;  Harry  and  Lucy  seated  on  opposite  sides  of 
a  small  round  table  and  deep  in  a  game  of  chess; 
two  little  fellows  of  six  and  eight — John  and 
Archie  by  name — were  spinning  a  top. 

"  There  she  is!  I  had  almost  given  her  up;  for 
I  didn't  believe  that  old  father  of  hers  would  let 
her  come,"  cried  Lucy,  catching  sight  of  Glossy 
and  her  rider  just  entering  the  avenue;  and  she 
sprang  up  in  such  haste  as  to  upset  half  the  men 
upon  the  board. 


78  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"Hollo!  see  what  you've  done!"  exclaime3 
Harry.  "  Why,  it's  Elsie,  sure  enough! "  and  he 
hastily  followed  in  the  wake  of  his  sister,  who  had 
already  flown  to  meet  and  welcome  her  friend; 
while  Herbert  started  up  to  a  sitting  posture,  and 
looked  enviously  after  them. 

"  Archie,  John,"  he  called,  "  one  of  you  please 
be  good  enough  to  hand  me  my  crutch  and  cane. 
Dear  me,  what  a  thing  it  is  to  be  a  cripple!  " 

"  I'll  get  'em,  Herbie,  this  minute!  Don't  you 
try  to  step  without  'em,"  said  Archie,  jumping  up 
to  hand  them. 

But  Elsie  had  already  a-'^hted  from  her  horse 
with  Harry's  assistance,  and  shaken  hands  with 
him,  returned  Lucy's  rapturous  embrace  as 
warmly  as  it  was  given,  and  stepped  upon  the 
veranda  with  her  before  Herbert  was  fairly  upon 
his  feet.  As  she  caught  sight  of  him  she 
hurried  forward,  her  sweet  face  full  of  tender 
pity. 

"  Oh,  don't  try  to  come  to  meet  me,  Herbert," 
she  said,  holding  out  her  little  gloved  hand;  "I 
know  your  poor  limb  is  worse  than  usual,  and  you 
must  not  exert  yourself  for  an  old  friend  like 
me." 

"  Ah,"  he  said,  taking  the  offered  hand,  and 
looking  at  its  owner  with  a  glad  light  in  his  eyes, 
"How  like  you  that  is,  Elsie!  You  always  were 
more  thoughtful  of  others  than  any  one  else  I 
ever  knew.  Yes,  my  limb  is  pretty  bad  just  now; 
but  the  doctor  thinks  he'll  conquer  the  disease 
yet;  at  least  so  far  as  to  relieve  me  of  the  pain  I 
suffer." 

"I  hope  so.  indeed.     How  patiently  you  have 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  79 

borne  it  all  these  long  years,"  she  answered  with 
earnest  sympathy  of  tone  and  look. 

"  So  he  has ;  he  deserves  the  greatest  amount  of 
credit  for  it,"  said  Lucy,  as  John  and  Archie  in 
turn  claimed  Elsie's  attention  for  a  moment. 
"  But  come  now,  let  me  take  you  to  mamma  and 
grandma,  and  then  to  your  own  room.  Aunt 
Chloe  and  your  luggage  will  be  along  presently, 
I  suppose." 

"  Yes,  they  are  coming  up  the  avenue  now." 

Lucy  led  the  way  to  a  large  pleasant,  airy  apart- 
ment in  one  of  the  wings  of  the  building,  where 
they  found  Mrs.  Carrington  busily  occupied  in 
cutting  out  garments  for  her  servants,  her  parents 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norris  with  her,  the  one  reading  a 
newspaper,  the  other  knitting.  All  three  gave 
the  young  guest  a  very  warm  welcome.  She  was 
evidently  a  great  favorite  with  the  whole  family. 

These  greetings  and  the  usual  mutual  inquiries 
in  regard  to  the  health  of  friends  and  relatives 
having  been  exchanged,  Elsie  was  next  carried  off 
by  Lucy  to  the  room  prepared  for  her  special  use 
during  her  stay  at  Ashlands.  It  also  was  large, 
air}-,  and  cheerful,  on  the  second  floor — opening 
upon  a  veranda  on  one  side,  on  the  other  into  a 
similar  apartment  occupied  by  Lucy  herself. 
Fine  India  matting,  furniture  of  some  kind  of 
yellow  grained  wood,  snowy  counterpanes,  cur- 
tains and  toilet  covers  gave  them  both  an  air  of 
coolness  and  simple  elegance,  while  vases  of  fresh 
flowers  upon  the  mantels  shed  around  a  slight  but 
delicious  perfume. 

Of  course  the  two  girls  were  full  of  lively, 
innocent  chat.  In  the  midst  of  it  Elsie  ex- 


80  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

claimed,  "  Oh,  Lucy!  I  have  just  the  loveliest 
book  you  ever  read!  a  present  from  Mr.  Travilla 
the  other  day,  and  I've  brought  it  along.  Papa 
had  begun  it,  but  he  is  so  kind  he  insisted  I  should 
bring  it  with  me;  and  so  I  did." 

*'  Oh,  I'm  glad!  we  haven't  had  anything  new 
in  the  story-book  line  for  some  time.  Have  you 
read  it  yourself?" 

"  Partly:  but  it  is  worth  reading  several  times; 
and  I  thought  we  would  enjoy  it  all  together — one 
reading  aloud." 

"  Oh,  'tis  just  the  thing!  I'm  going  to  help 
mamma  to-day  with  the  sewing,  and  a  nice  book 
read  aloud  will  make  it  quite  enjoyable.  We'll 
have  you  for  reader,  Elsie,  if  you  are  agreed." 

"  Suppose  we  take  turns  sewing  and  reading? 
I'd  like  to  help  your  mamma,  too." 

"  Thank  you;  well,  we'll  see.  Herbert's  a  good 
reader,  and  I  daresay  will  be  glad  to  take  his  turn 
at  it  too.  Ah,  here  comes  your  baggage  and  Aunt 
Chloe  following  it.  Here,  Bob  and  Jack,"  to  the 
two  stalwart  black  fellows  who  were  carrying  the 
trunk,  "  set  it  in  this  corner.  How  d'ye  do,  Aunt 
Chloe?" 

"  Berry  well,  tank  you,  missy,"  replied  the  old 
nurse,  dropping  a  courtesy.  "I'se  berry  glad  to 
see  you  lookin'  so  bright  dis  here  mornin'." 

"  Thank  you.  Now  make  yourself  at  home  and 
take  good  care  of  your  young  mistress." 

"  Dat  I  will,  missy;  best  I  knows  how.  Trus' 
dis  chile  for  dat." 

Elsie's  riding  habit  was  quickly  exchanged  for 
a  house  dress,  her  hair  made  smooth  and  shining 
as  its  wont,  and  securing  her  book  she  returned 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  81 

with  Lucy  to  the  lower  veranda,  where  they  found 
Herbert  still  extended  upon  his  sofa. 

His  face  brightened  at  sight  of  Elsie.  He  had 
laid  aside  his  book,  and  was  at  work  with  his 
knife  upon  a  bit  of  soft  pine  wood.  He  whiled 
away  many  a  tedious  hour  by  fashioning  in  this 
manner  little  boxes,  whistles,  sets  of  baby-house 
furniture,  etc.,,  etc.,  for  one  and  another  of  his 
small  friends.  Books,  magazines,  and  newspapers 
filled  up  the  larger  portion  of  his  time,  but  could 
not  occupy  it  all,  for,  as  he  said,  he  must  digest 
his  mental  food,  and  he  liked  to  have  employ- 
ment for  his  fingers  while  doing  so. 

"  Please  be  good  enough  to  sit  where  I  can  look 
at  you  without  too  great  an  effort,  won't  you?  " 
he  said,  smiling  up  into  Elsie's  face. 

"  Yes,  if  that  will  afford  you  any  pleasure,"  she 
answered  lightly,  as  Lucy  beckoned  to  a  colored 
girl,  who  stepped  forward  and  placed  a  low  rock- 
ing chair  at  the  side  of  the  couch. 

"  There,  that  is  just  right.  I  can  have  a  full 
view  of  your  face  by  merely  raising  my  eyes," 
Herbert  said  with  satisfaction,  as  Elsie  seated 
herself  in  it.  "  What,  you  have  brought  a  book?  " 

"  Yes,"  and  while  Elsie  went  on  to  repeat  the 
substance  of  what  she  had  told  Lucy,  the  latter 
slipped  away  to  her  mamma's  room  to  make  ar- 
rangements about  the  work,  and  ask  if  they 
would  not  all  like  to  come  and  listen  to  the  read- 
ing. 

"  Is  it  the  kind  of  book  to  interest  an  old  body 
like  me?  "  asked  Mrs.  Norris. 

"I  don't  know,  grandma;  but  Elsie  says  Mr. 
Travilla  and  her  papa  were  both  delighted  witli 


82  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

it.  Mr.  Dinsmore,  though,  had  not  read  tfif 
whole  of  it." 

"  Suppose  we  go  and  try  it  for  a  while  then," 
said  Mr.  Norris,  laying  down  his  paper.  "  If  our 
little  Elsie  is  to  be  the  reader,  I  for  one  am  pretty 
sure  to  enjoy  listening,  her  voice  is  so  sweet- 
toned  and  her  enunciation  so  clear  and  dis- 
tinct." 

"  That's  you,  grandpa! "  cried  Lucy,  clapping 
her  hands  in  applause.  "  Yes,  you'd  better  all 
come,  Elsie  is  to  be  the  reader  at  the  start;  she 
says  she  does  not  mind  beginning  the  story  over 
again." 

Mrs.  Carrington  began  gathering  up  her  work, 
laying  the  garments  already  cut  out  in  a  large 
basket,  which  was  then  carried  by  her  maid  to 
the  veranda.  In  a  few  moments  Elsie  had  quite 
an  audience  gathered  aboiit  her,  ere  long  a  deeply 
interested  one;  scissors  or  needle  had  now  and 
again  to  be  dropped  to  wipe  away  a  falling  tear, 
and  the  voice  of  the  reader  needed  steadying  more 
than  once  or  twice.  Then  Herbert  took  his  turn, 
at  the  book,  Elsie  hers  with  the  needle,  Mrs.  Car- 
rington half  reluctantly  yielding  to  her  urgent 
request  to  be  allowed  to  assist  them. 

So  the  morning,  and  much  of  the  afternoon 
also,  passed  most  pleasantly,  and  not  unprofitably 
either.  A  walk  toward  sundown,  and  afterward 
a  delightful  moonlight  ride  with  Harry  Carring- 
ton and  Winthrop  Lansing,  the  son  of  a  neigh- 
boring planter,  finished  the  day,  and  Elsie  retired 
to  her  own  room  at  her  usual  early  hour.  Lucy 
followed  and  kept  her  chatting  quite  a  while,  for 
which  Elsie's  tender  conscience  reproached  her 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  83 

somewhat;  yet  she  was  not  long  in  falling 
asleep  after  her  head  had  once  touched  her 
pillow. 

The  next  day  was  passed  in  a  similar  manner, 
still  more  time  being  given  to  the  reading,  as  they 
were  able  to  begin  it  earlier:  yet  the  book  was  not 
finished;  but  on  the  morning  of  the  next  day, 
which  was  Friday,  Lucy  proposed  that,  if  the  plan 
was  agreeable  to  Elsie,  they  should  spend  an 
hour  or  two  in  a  new  amusement;  which  was  no 
other  than  going  into  the  dominions  of  Aunt 
Viney,  the  cook,  and  assisting  in  beating  eggs  and 
making  cake. 

Elsie  was  charmed  with  the  idea,  and  it  was 
immediately  carried  out,  to  the  great  astonish- 
ment of  Chloe,  Aunt  Viney,  and  all  her  sable 
tribe. 

"  Sho,  Miss  Lucy!  what  fo'  you  go  for  to  fotch 
de  company  right  yere  into  dis  yere  ole  dirty 
kitchen?"  cried  Aunt  Viney,  dropping  a  hasty 
courtesy  to  Elsie,  then  hurrying'  hither  and 
thither  in  the  vain  effort  to  set  everything  to 
rights  in  a  moment  of  time.  "  Clar  out  o'  yere, 
you,  Han  an'  Scip,"  she  cried,  addressing  two 
small  urchins  of  dusky  hue  and  driving  them  be- 
fore her  as  she  spoke,  "  dere  aint  no  room  yere 
fo'  you,  an'  kitchens  aint  no  place  for  darkies  o* 
your  size  or  sect.  I'll  fling  de  dishcloth  at  yo' 
brack  faces  ef  yo'  comes  in  agin  fo'  you  sent  for. 
I  'clare  Miss  Elsie,  an'  Miss  Lucy,  dose  dirty  nig- 
gahs  make  sich  a  muss  in  yere,  dere  aint  a  char 
fit  for  you  to  set  down  in,"  she  continued,  hastily 
cleaning  two,  and  wiping  them  with  her  apron. 
"  I'se  glad  to  see  you,  ladies,  but  ef  I'd  knowed 


84  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

you  was  a-comin'  dis  kitchen  shu'd  had  a  cleanin' 
up  f  o'  shuah." 

"  You  see,  Aunt  Viney,  you  ought  to  keep  it  in 
order,  and  then  you  would  be  ready  for  visitors 
whenever  they  happened  to  come,"  said  Lucy 
laughingly.  "  Why,  you're  really  quite  out  of 
breath  with  whisking  about  so  fast.  We've  come 
to  help  you." 

The  fat  old  negress,  still  panting  from  her  un- 
wonted exertions,  straightened  herf-elf,  pushed 
back  her  turban,  and  gazed  in  round-eyed  wonder 
upon  her  young  mistress. 

"What!  Missy  help  ole  Aunt  Viney  wid  dose 
lily-white  hands?  Oh,  go  'long!  you's  jokin'  dis 
time  fo'  shuah." 

"  No  indeed;  we  want  the  fun  of  helping  to 
make  some  of  the  cake  for  to-morrow.  You  know 
we  want  ever  so  many  kinds  to  celebrate  our  two 
birthdays." 

"  Two  birthdays,  Miss  Lucy?  yo's  and  Massa 
Herbert's?  Yes,  dat's  it;  I  don't  disremember  de 
day,  but  I  do  disremember  de  age." 

"  Sixteen;  and  now  we're  going  to  have  a  nice 
party  to  celebrate  the  day,  and  you  must  see  that 
the  refreshments  are  got  up  in  your  very  best 
style." 

"  So  I  will,  Miss  Lucy,  an'  no  'easion  for  you 
and  Miss  Elsie  to  trouble  yo'  young  heads  'bout 
de  makin'  ob  de  cakes  an'  jellies  an'  custards  an* 
sich.  Ole  Aunt  Viney  can  'tend  to  it  all." 

"  But  we  want  the  fun  of  it,"  persisted  Lucy; 
"  we  want  to  try  our  hands  at  beating  eggs,  roll- 
ing sugar,  sifting  flour,  etc.,  etc.  I've  got  a  grand 
new  receipt  book  here,  and  we'll  read  out  the 


ELSIE'S  aiRLHOOD.  8S 

recipes  to  you,  and  measure  and  weigh  the 
materials,  and  you  can  do  the  mixing  and 
baking." 

"  Yes,  missy,  you'  lily  hands  no'  hab  strength 
to  stir,  an'  de  fire  spoil  yo'  buful  'plexions  for 
ehuah." 

"I've  brought  mamma's  keys,"  said  Lucy; 
"come  along  with  us  to  the  store-room,  Aunt 
Viney,  and  I'll  deal  out  the  sugar,  spices,  and 
whatever  else  you  want." 

"  Yes,  Miss  Lucy;  but  'deed  I  don't  need  no 
help.  You's  berry  kind,  but  ole  Viney  kin  do  it 
all,  an'  she'll  have  eberything  fus'-rate  fo'  de 
young  gemmen  an'  ladies." 

"  But  that  isn't  the  thing,  auntie;  you  don't 
seem  to  understand.  Miss  Elsie  and  I  want  the 
fun,  and  to  learn  to  cook,  too.  Who  knows  but 
we  may  some  day  have  to  do  our  own  work?  " 

"Bress  de  Lord,  Miss  Lucy,  how  you  talk, 
honey!  "  cried  the  old  negress,  rolling  up  her  eyes 
in  horror  at  the  thought. 

"Take  care;  Miss  Elsie  will  think  you  very 
wicked  if  you  use  such  exclamations  as  that." 

"  Dat  wrong,  you  t'ink,  missy?"  asked  Aunt 
Viney,  turning  to  the  young  visitor,  who  had 
gone  with  them  to  the  store-room,  and  was  assist- 
ing Lucy  in  the  work  of  measuring  and  weighing 
the  needed  articles. 

"I  think  it  is,"  she  answered  gently;  "we 
should  be  very  careful  not  to  use  the  sacred  name 
lightly.  To  do  so  is  to  break  the  third  command- 
ment." 

"  Den,  missy,  dis  ole  gal  won't  neber  do  it  no 
more." 


86  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

Chloe  had  been  an  excellent  cook  in  her  young 
days,  and  had  not  forgotten  or  lost  her  former 
skill  in  the  preparation  of  toothsome  dainties. 
She,  too,  came  with  offers  of  assistance,  and  the 
four  were  soon  deep  in  the  mysteries  of  pastry, 
sweetmeats,  and  confections.  Novelty  gave  it  an 
especial  charm  to  the  young  ladies,  and  they  grew 
very  merry  and  talkative,  while  their  ignorance 
of  the  business  in  hand,  the  odd  mistakes  they 
fell  into  in  consequence,  and  the  comical  ques- 
tions they  asked,  gave  much  secret  amusement 
to  the  two  old  servants. 

"  What's  this  pound  cake  to  be  mixed  up  in, 
Aunt  Viney?"  asked  Lucy. 

"  In  dis  yere  tin  pan,  missy." 

"  Is  it  clean?  " 

"  Yes,  missy,  it's  clean;  but  maybe  'taint  suf- 
fishently  clean,  I'll  wash  it  agin." 

"How  many  kinds  of  cake  shall  we  make?" 
asked  Elsie. 

"  Every  kind  that  Chloe  and  Aunt  Viney  can 
think  of  and  know  how  to  make  well.  Let  me 
see — delicate  cake,  gold,  silver  and  clove,  fruit- 
cake, sponge,  and  what  else?" 

"  Mammy  makes  delicious  jumbles." 

"  Will  you  make  us  some,  Aunt  Chloe?  " 

Chloe  signified  her  readiness  to  do  whatever 
was  desired,  and  began  at  once  to  collect  her  im- 
plements. 

"Got  a  rollin'  pin,  Aunt  Viney?"  she  asked. 

"  Yes,  to  be  shuah,  a  revoltin'  roller,  de  very 
bes'  kind.  No,  Miss  Elsie,  don'  mix  de  eggs  dat 
way,  you  spile  'em  ef  you  mix  de  yaller  all  up  wid 
de  whites.  An'  Miss  Lucy,  butter  an'  sugar  mus* 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  87 

tie  worked  up  togedder  fus',  till  de  butter  resolve 
de  sugah,  'fore  we  puts  de  udder  gredinents  in." 

"  Ah,  I  see  we  have  a  good  deal  to  learn  before 
we  can  hope  to  rival  you  as  cooks,  Aunt  Viney," 
laughed  Lucy. 

"  I  spec'  so,  missy;  you  throw  all  de  gredinents 
in  togedder,  an'  tumble  your  flouah  in  all  at  once, 
an'  you  nebber  get  your  cake  nice  an  light." 

They  had  nearly  reached  the  end  of  their  labors 
when  sounds  as  of  scuffling,  mingled  with  loud 
boyish  laughter,  and  cries  of  "  That's  it,  Scip,  hit 
him  again!  Pitch  into  him,  Han,  and  pay  him 
off  well  for  it! "  drew  them  all  in  haste  to  the 
window  and  door. 

The  two  little  darkies  who  had  been  ejected 
from  the  kitchen,  were  tussling  in  the  yard,  while 
their  young  masters,  John  and  Archie,  looked  on, 
shaking  with  laughter,  and  clapping  their  hands 
in  noisy  glee. 

"What's  all  this  racket  about?"  asked  Grand- 
pa Norris,  coming  out  upon  the  veranda,  news- 
paper in  hand,  Herbert  limping  along  by  his  side. 

"  The  old  feud  between  Eoman  and  Cartha- 
ginian, sir,"  replied  John. 

"Why,  what  do  you  mean,  child?" 

"  Hannah  Ball  waging  a  war  on  Skipio,  you 
know,  sir." 

"History  repeating  itself,  eh?"  laughed  Her- 
bert. 

"Ah,  that's  an  old  joke,  Archie,"  said  his 
grandfather.  "  And  you're  too  big  a  rogue  to  set 
them  at  such  work.  H*m  and  Scip,  stop  that  at 
once." 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

"  All  your  attempts 
Shall  fall  on  me  like  brittle  shafts  on  armor." 

LUCY  came  into  Elsie's  room  early  the  next 
morning  to  show  her  birthday  gifts,  of  which  she 
had  received  one  or  more  from  every  member  of 
her  family.  They  consisted  of  articles  of  jewelry, 
toilet  ornaments,  and  handsomely-bound  books. 

They  learned  on  meeting  Herbert  at  breakfast 
that  he  had  fared  quite  as  well  as  his  sister. 
Elsie  slipped  a  valuable  ring  on  Lucy's  finger  and 
laid  a  gold  pencil-case  beside  Herbert's  plate. 

"  Oh,  charming!  a  thousand  thanks,  mon  ami!  " 
cried  Lucy,  her  eyes  sparkling  with  pleasure. 

"  Thank  you,  I  shall  value  it  most  highly;  espe- 
cially for  the  giver's  sake/'  said  Herbert,  examin- 
ing his  with  a  pleased  look,  then  turning  to  her 
with  a  blush  and  jo)rous  smile,  "  I  am  so  much 
better  this  morning  that  I  am  going  out  for  a 
drive.  "Won't  you  and  Lucy  give  me  the  added 
pleasure  of  your  company?" 

"  Thank  you,  I^can  answer  for  myself  that  I'll 
be  very  happy  to  do  so." 

"  I,  too,"  said  Lucy.  "  It's  a  lovely  morning 
for  a  ride.  We'll  make  up  a  party  and  go,  but 
we  must  be  home  again  in  good  season;  for  Carrie 
and  Enna  promised  to  come  to  dinner.  So  I'm 
glad  we  finished  the  book  yesterday,  though  we 
were  all  so  sorry  to  part  from  little  Ellen." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  89 

They  turned  out  quite  a  strong  party;  Herbert 
and  the  ladies  filling  up  the  family  carriage,,  while 
Harry  on  horseback,  and  John  and  Archie  each 
mounted  upon  a  pony,  accompanied  it,  now  rid- 
ing alongside,  now  speeding  on  ahead,  or  per- 
chance dropping  behind  for  a  time  as  suited  their 
fancy. 

They  travelled  some  miles,  and  alighting  in  a 
beautiful  grove,  partook  of  a  delicate  lunch  they 
had  brought  with  them.  Then,  while  Herbert 
rested  upon  the  grass  the  others  wandered  hither 
and  thither  until  it  was  time  to  return.  They 
reached  home  just  in  season  to  receive  their  ex- 
pected guests. 

Carrie  Howard  was  growing  up  very  pretty  and 
graceful;  womanly  in  her  ways,  yet  quite  un- 
assuming in  manner,  frank  and  sweet  in  disposi- 
tion, she  was  a  general  favorite  with  old  and 
young,  and  could  already  boast  of  several  suitors 
for  her  hand. 

Enna  Dinsmore,  now  in  her  fourteenth  year, 
though  by  some  considered  even  prettier,  was  far 
less  pleasing — pert,  forward,  and  conceited  as  she 
had  been  in  her  early  childhood;  she  was  tall  for 
her  age,  and  with  her  perfect  self-possession  and 
grown-up  air  and  manner,  might  be  easily  mis- 
taken for  seventeen.  She  had  already  more 
worldly  wisdom  than  her  sweet,  fair  niece  would 
ever  be  able  to  attain,  and  was,  in  her  own  esti- 
mation at  least,  a  very  stylish  and  fashionable 
young  lady.  She  assumed  very  superior  airs  to- 
ward Elsie  when  her  brother  Horace  was  not  by, 
reproving,  exhorting,  or  directing  her;  and  was 
very  proud  of  being  usually  taken  by  strangers 


&0  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

for  the  elder  of  the  two.  Some  day  she  would  not 
think  that  a  feather  in  her  cap. 

Elsie  had  lost  none  of  the  childlike  simplicity 
of  five  years  ago;  it  still  showed  itself  in  the  sweet, 
gentle  countenance,  the  quiet  graceful  carriage, 
equally  removed  from  forwardness  on  the  one 
hand,  and  timid  self-consciousness  on  the  other. 
She  did  not  consider  herself  a  personage  of  impor- 
tance, yet  was  not  troubled  by  her  supposed  in- 
significance; in  fact  seldom  thought  of  self  at  all, 
so  engaged  was  she  in  adding  to  the  happiness  of 
others. 

The  four  girls  were  gathered  in  Lucy's  room. 
She  had  been  showing  her  birthday  presents  to 
Carrie  and  Enna. 

"  How  do  you  like  this  style  of  arranging  the 
hair,  girls?"  asked  the  latter,  standing  before  a 
mirror,  smoothing  and  patting,  and  pulling  out 
her  puffs  and  braids.  "  It's  the  newest  thing  out. 
Isabel  Carleton  just  brought  it  from  New  York. 
I  saw  her  with  hers  dressed  so,  and  sent  Delia 
over  to  learn  how." 

Delia  vas  Miss  Enna's  maid,  and  had  been 
brought  along  to  Ashlands  that  she  might  dress 
her  young  lady's  hair  in  this  new  style  for  the 
party. 

"  It's  pretty/'  said  Lucy.  "  I  think  I'll  have 
Minerva  dress  mine  so  for  to-night,  and  see  how 
it  becomes  me." 

"  Delia  can  show  her  how,"  said  Enna.  "  Don't 
you  like  it,  Carrie?  " 

"  Pretty  well,  but  if  you'll  excuse  me  for  say- 
ing so,  it  strikes  me  as  rather  grown  up  for  a 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  91 

young  lady  of  thirteen/'  answered  Carrie  in  a 
good-naturedly  bantering  tone. 

Enna  colored  and  looked  vexed.  "  I'm  nearly 
fourteen,"  she  replied  with  a  slight  toss  of  the 
head;  "  and  I  overheard  Mrs.  Carleton  saying  to 
mamma  the  other  day,  that  with  my  height  and 
finished  manners  I  might  pass  anywhere  for  sev- 
enteen." 

"  Perhaps  so;  of  course,  knowing  your  age,  I 
can't  judge  so  well  how  it  would  strike  a  stran- 
ger." 

"  I  see  you  have  gone  back  to  the  old  childish 
way  of  arranging  your  hair.  What's  that  for?  " 
asked  Enna,  turning  to  Elsie"  "  I  should  think  it 
was  about  time  you  were  beginning  to  be  a  little 
womanly  in  something." 

"  Yes,  but  not  in  dress  or  the  arrangement  of 
my  hair.  So  papa  says,  and  of  course  I  know  he 
is  right." 

"  He  would  not  let  you  have  it  up  in  a  comb?  " 

"  N"o,"  Elsie  answered  with  a  quiet  smile. 

"  Why  do  you  smile?  Did  he  say  anything 
funny  when  you  showed  yourself  that  day?  " 

"  Oh,  Elsie,  have  you  tried  putting  up  your 
hair? "  asked  Carrie;  while  Lucy  exclaimed, 
"  Try  it  again  to-night,  Elsie,  I  should  like  to  see 
how  you  would  look." 

"  Yes,"  said  Elsie,  answering  Carrie's  query 
first.  "  Enna  persuaded  me  one  day  to  have 
mammy  do  it  up  in  young-lady  fashion.  I  liked 
it  right  well  for  a  change,  and  that  was  just  what 
mamma  said  when  I  went  into  the  drawing-room 
and  showed  myself  to  her.  But  when  papa  came 


92  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

in,  he  looked  at  me  with  a  comical  sort  of  surprise 
in  his  face,  and  said.  '  Come  here;  what  have  you 
been  doing  to  yourself  ?'  I  went  to  him  and  he 
pulled  out  my  comb,  and  ordered  me  off  to 
mammy  to  have  my  hair  arranged  again  in  the 
usual  way,  saying,  '  I'm  not  going  to  have  you 
aping  the  woman  already;  don't  alter  the  style  of 
wearing  your  hair  again,  till  I  give  you  per- 
mission.' " 

"  And  you  walked  off  as  meek  as  Moses,  and  did 
his  bidding,"  said  Enna  sarcastically.  "  No  man 
shall  ever  rule  me  so.  If  papa  should  undertake 
to  give  me  such  an  order,  I'd  just  inform  him 
that  my  hair  was  my  own,  and  I  should  arrange 
it  as  suited  my  own  fancy." 

"  I  think  you  are  making  yourself  out  worse 
than  you  really  are,  Enna,"  said  Elsie  gravety. 
"  I  am  sure  you  could  never  say  anything  so  ex- 
tremely impertinent  as  that  to  grandpa." 

"Impertinent!  Well,  if  you  believe  it  neces- 
sary to  be  so  very  respectful,  consistency  should 
lead  you  to  refrain  from  reproving  your  aunt." 

"  I  did  not  exactly  mean  to  reprove  you,  Enna, 
and  you  are  younger  than  I." 

"Nobody  would  think  it,"  remarked  Enna 
superciliously  and  with  a  second  toss  of  her  head, 
as  she  turned  from  the  glass;  "you  are  so  ex- 
tremely childish  in  every  way,  while,  as  mamma 
says,  I  grow  more  womanly  in  appearance  and 
manner  every  day." 

'"Elsie's  manners  are  quite  perfect,  I  think," 
said  Carrie;  "  and  her  hair  is  so  beautiful,  I  don't 
believe  any  other  style  of  arrangement  could  im- 
prove its  appearance  in  the  least." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  93 

"  But  it's  so  childish,  so  absurdly  childish!  just 
that  great  mass  of  ringlets  hanging  about  her 
neck  and  shoulders.  Come,  Elsie,  I  want  you  to 
have  it  dressed  in  this  new  style  for  to-night." 

"  No,  Enna,  I  am  perfectly  satisfied  to  wear  it 
in  this  childish  fashion;  and  if  I  were  not,  still  I 
could  not  disobey  papa." 

Enna  turned  away  with  a  contemptuous  sniff, 
and  Lucy  proposed  that  they  should  go  down  to 
the  drawing-room,  and  try  some  new  music  she 
had  just  received,  until  it  should  be  time  to  drees 
for  the  evening. 

Herbert  lay  on  a  sofa  listening  to  their  playing. 
"  Lucy,"  he  said  in  one  of  the  pauses,  "  what 
amusements  are  we  to  have  to-night? — anything 
beside  the  harp,  piano,  and  conversation?  " 

"  Dancing,  of  course.  Cad's  fiddle  will  pro- 
vide as  good  music  as  any  one  need  care  for,  and 
this  room  is  large  enough  for  all  who  will  be  here. 
Our  party  is  not  to  be  very  large,  you  know." 

"  And  Elsie,  for  one,  is  too  pious  to  dance/* 
sneered  Enna. 

Elsie  colored,  but  remained  silent. 

"Oh!  I  did  not  think  of  that! "  cried  Lucy. 
"  Elsie,  do  you  really  think  it  is  a  sinful  amuse- 
ment?" 

"  I  think  it  wrong  to  go  to  balls;  at  least  that 
it  would  be  wrong  for  me,  a  professed  Christian, 
Lucy." 

"But  this  will  not  be  a  ball,  and  we'll  have 
nothing  but  quiet  country  dances,  or  something 
of  that  sort,  no  waltzing  or  anything  at  all  objec- 
tionable. What  harm  can  there  be  in  jumping 
about  in  that  way  more  than  in  another?  " 


94  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  None  that  I  know  of,"  answered  Elsie,  smil- 
ing. "  And  I  certainly  shall  not  object  to  others 
doing  as  they  like,  provided  I  am  not  asked  to 
take  part  in  it." 

"  But  why  not  take  part,  if  it  is  not  wrong?  " 
asked  Harry,  coining  in  from  the  veranda. 

"  Why,  don't  you  know  she  never  does  anything 
without  asking  the  permission  of  papa?  "  queried 
Enna  tauntingly.  "  But  where's  the  use  of  con- 
sulting her  wishes  in  the  matter,  or  urging  her  to 
take  part  in  the  wicked  amusement? — she'll  have 
to  go  to  bed  at  nine  o'clock,  like  any  other  well- 
trained  child,  and  we'll  have  time  enough  for  our 
dancing  after  that." 

"  Oh,  Elsie,  must  }rou? — must  you  really  leave 
us  at  that  early  hour?  Why,  that's  entirely  too 
bad! "  cried  the  others  in  excited  chorus. 

"  I  shall  stay  up  till  ten,"  answered  Elsie 
quietly,  while  a  deep  flush  suffused  her  cheek. 

"  That  is  better,  but  we  shall  not  know  how  to 
spare  you  even  that  soon,"  said  Harry.  "  Couldn't 
you  make  it  eleven? — that  would  not  be  so  very 
late  just  for  once." 

"No,  for  she  can't  break  her  rules,  or  disobey 
orders.  If  she  did,  papa  would  be  sure  to  find  it 
out  and  punish  her  when  she  gets  home." 

"  For  shame,  Enna!  that's  quite  too  bad!  "  cried 
Carrie  and  Lucy  in  a  breath. 

Elsie's  color  deepened,  and  there  was  a  flash  of 
anger  and  scorn  in  her  eyes  as  she  turned  for  an 
instant  upon  Enna.  Then  she  replied  firmly, 
though  with  a  slight  tremble  of  indignation  in 
her  tones:  "I  am  not  ashamed  to  own  that  I  do 
find  it  both  a  duty  and  a  pleasure  to  obey  my. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  95 

father,  whether  he  he  present  or  absent.  I  have 
confidence,  too.,  in  both  his  wisdom  and  his  love 
for  me.  He  thinks  early  hours  of  great  impor- 
tance, especially  to  those  who  are  young  and 
growing,  and  therefore  he  made  it  a  rule  that  I 
shall  retire  to  my  room  and  begin  my  prepara- 
tions for  bed  by  nine  o'clock.  But  he  gave  me 
leave  to  stay  up  an  hour  later  to-night,  and  I  in- 
tend to  do  so." 

"  I  think  you  are  a  very  good  girl,  and  feel  just 
right  about  it,"  said  Carrie. 

"  I  wish  he  had  said  eleven,  I  think  he  might 
this  once,"  remarked  Lucy.  "  Why,  don't  you.  re- 
member he  let  you  stay  up  till  ten  Christmas  Eve 
that  time  we  all  spent  the  holidays  at  Koselands,, 
which  was  five  years  ago  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Elsie,  "  but  this  is  Saturday  night, 
and  as  to-morrow  is  the  Sabbath,  I  should  not 
feel  it  to  be  right  to  stay  up  later,  even  if  I  had 
permission." 

"Why  not?  it  isn't  Sunday  till  twelve,"  said 
Herbert. 

"  No,  but  I  should  be  apt  to  oversleep  myself, 
and  be  dull  and  drowsy  in  church  next  morning." 

"  Quite  a  saint! "  muttered  Enna,  shrugging 
her  shoulders  and  marching  off  to  the  other  side 
of  the  room. 

"  Suppose  we  go  and  select  some  flowers  for 
our  hair,"  said  Lucy,  looking  at  her  watch. 
"  'Twill  be  tea-time  presently,  and  we'll  want  'to 
dress  directly  after." 

"  You  always  were  such  a  dear  good  girl," 
whispered  Carrie  Howard,  putting  her  arm  about 
Elsie's  waist  as  they  left  the  room. 


96  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

Enna  was  quite  gorgeous  that  evening,  in  a 
bright-colored  silk,  trimmed  with  multitudinous 
flounces  and  many  yards  of  ribbon  and  gimp. 
The  young  damsel  had  a  decidedly  gay  taste,  and 
glanced  somewhat  contemptuously  at  Elsie's  dress 
of  simple  white,  albeit  'twas  of  the  finest  India 
muslin  and  trimmed  with  costly  lace.  She  wore 
her  pearl  necklace  and  bracelets,  a  broad  sash  of 
rich  white  ribbon;  no  other  ornaments  save  a 
half-blown  moss  rosebud  at  her  bosom,  and  an- 
other amid  the  glossy  ringlets  of  her  hair,  their 
green  leaves  the  only  bit  of  color  about  her. 

"  You  look  like  a  bride,"  said  Herbert,  gazing 
admiringly  upon  her. 

"Do  I?"  she  answered  smiling,  as  she  turned 
and  tripped  lightly  away;  for  Lucy  was  calling  to 
her  from  the  next  room. 

Herbert's  eyes  followed  her  with  a  wistful, 
longing  look  in  them,  and  he  sighed  sadly  to  him- 
self as  she  disappeared  from  his  view. 

Most  of  the  guests  came  early;  among  them, 
Walter  and  Arthur  Dinsmore;  Elsie  had  not  seen 
the  latter  since  his  encounter  with  Mr.  Travilla. 
He  gave  her  a  sullen  nod  on  entering  the  room, 
but  took  no  further  notice  of  her. 

Chit-chat,  promenading  and  the  music  of  the 
piano  and  harp  were  the  order  of  the  evening  for 
a  time;  then  games  were  proposed,  and  "  Conse- 
quences," "How  do  you  like  it?"  and  "Genteel 
lady,  always  genteel,"  afforded  much  amusement. 
Herbert  could  join  in  these,  and  did  with  much 
spirit.  But  dancing  was  a  favorite  pastime  with 
the  young  people  of  the  neighborhood,  and  the 
clock  had  hardly  struck  nine  when  Cadmus  and 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  97 

his  fiddle  were  summoned  to  their  aid,  chairs  and 
tables  were  put  out  of  the  way,  and  sets  began  to 
form. 

Elsie  was  in  great  request;  the  young  gentle- 
men nocked  about  her,  with  urgent  entreaties  that 
she  would  join  in  the  amusement,  each  claiming 
the  honor  of  her  hand  in  one  or  more  sets,  but 
she  steadily  declined. 

A  glad  smile  lighted  up  Herbert's  counte- 
nance, as  he  saw  one  and  another  turn  and  walk 
away  with  a  look  of  chagrin  and  disappointment. 

"  Since  my  misfortune  compels  me  to  act  the 
part  of  a  wallflower,  I  am  selfish  enough,  I  own, 
to  rejoice  in  your  decision  to  be  one  also,"  he  said 
gleefully.  "  Will  you  take  a  seat  with  me  on  this 
sofa?  I  presume  your  conscience  does  not  for- 
bid you  to  watch  the  dancers?  " 

"  No,  not  at  all,"  she  answered,  accepting  his 
invitation. 

Elsie's  eyes  followed  with  eager  interest  the 
swiftly  moving  forms,  but  Herbert's  were  often 
turned  admiringly  upon  her.  At  length  he  asked 
if  she  did  not  find  the  room  rather  warm  and 
close,  and  proposed  that  they  should  go  out  upon 
the  veranda.  She  gave  a  willing  assent  and  they 
passed  quietly  out  and  sat  down  side  by  side  on  a 
rustic  seat. 

The  full  moon  shone  upon  them  from  a  beau- 
tiful blue  sky,  while  a  refreshing  breeze,  fragrant 
with  the  odor  of  flowers  and  pines,  gently  fanned 
their  cheeks  and  played  among  the  rich  masses  of 
Elsie's  hair. 

They  found  a  good  deal  to  talk  about;  they 
always  did,  for  they  were  kindred  spirits.  Their 


98  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

chat  was  now  grave,  now  gay — generally  the  lat- 
ter; for  Cad's  music  was  inspiriting;  but  whatever 
the  theme  of  their  discourse,  Herbert's  eyes  were 
constantly  seeking  the  face  of  his  companion. 

"  How  beautiful  you  are,  Elsie! "  he  exclaimed 
at  length,  in  a  tone  of  such  earnest  sincerity  that 
it  made  her  laugh,  the  words  seemed  to  rush  spon- 
taneously from  his  lips.  "  You  are  always  lovely, 
but  to-night  especially  so." 

"  It's  the  moonlight,  Herbert;  there's  a  sort  of 
witchery  about  it,  that  lends  beauty  to  many  an 
object  which  can  boast  none  of  itself." 

"  Ah,  but  broad  daylight  never  robs  you  of 
yours;  you  always  wear  it  wherever  you  are,  and 
however  dressed.  You  look  like  a  bride  to-night; 
I  wish  you  were,  and  that  I  were  the  groom." 

Elsie  laughed  again,  this  time  more  merrily 
than  before.  "  Ah,  what  nonsense  we  are  talk- 
ing— we  two  children,"  she  said.  Then  starting 
to  her  feet  as  the  clock  struck  ten — "  There,  it  is 
my  bed-time,  and  I  must  bid  you  good-night, 
pleasant  dreams,  and  a  happy  awaking." 

"  Oh,  don't  go  yet! "  he  cried,  but  she  was  al- 
ready gone,  the  skirt  of  her  white  dress  just  dis- 
appearing through  the  open  hall  door. 

She  encountered  Mrs.  Carrington  at  the  foot 
of  the  stairs.  "My  dear  child,  you  are  not  leav- 
ing us  already?"  she  cried. 

"  Yes,  madam;  the  clock  has  struck  ten." 

"  Why,  you  are  a  second  Cinderella." 

"  I  hope  not,"  replied  Elsie,  laughing.  "  See, 
my  dress  has  not  changed  in  the  least,  but  is 
quite  as  fresh  and  nice  as  ever." 

"Ah,  true  enough!  there  the  resemblance  fails 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

entirely.  But,  my  dear  child,  the  refreshments 
are  just  coming  in,  and  you  must  have  your  share. 
I  had  ordered  them  an  hour  earlier,  but  the  serv- 
ants were  slow  and  dilatory,  and  then  the  danc- 
ing began.  Come,  can  you  not  wait  long  enough 
to  partake  with  us?  Surely,  ten  o'clock  is  not 
late." 

"  No,  madam;  not  for  another  night  of  the 
week,  but  to-morrow's  the  Sabbath,  you  know, 
and  if  I  should  stay  up  late  to-night  I  would  be 
likely  to  find  myself  unfitted  for  its  duties.  Be- 
sides, papa  bade  me  retire  at  this  hour;  and  he 
does  not  approve  of  my  eating  at  night;  he  thinks 
it  is  apt  to  cause  dyspepsia." 

"Ah,  that  is  too  bad!  Well,  I  shall  see  that 
something  is  set  away  for  you,  and  hope  you  will 
enjoy  it  to-morrow.  Good-night,  dear;  I  must 
hurry  away  now  to  see  the  rest  of  my  guests,  and 
will  not  detain  you  longer,"  she  added,  drawing 
the  fair  girl  toward  her  and  kissing  her  affection- 
ately, then  hastening  away  to  the  supper-room. 

Elsie  tripped  up  the  stairs  and  entered  her 
room.  A  lamp  burned  low  on  the  toilet  table, 
she  went  to  it.  turned  up  the  wick,  and  as  she  did 
so  a  slight  noise  on  the  veranda  without  startled 
her.  The  windows  reached  to  the  floor  and  were 
wide  open. 

"Who's  there?"  she  asked. 

"  I,"  was  answered,  in  a  rough,  surly  tone,  and 
Arthur  stepped  in. 

"Is  it  you?"  she  asked  in  surprise  and  indig- 
nation. "Why  do  you  come  here?  it  is  not  fit 
you  should,  especially  at  this  hour." 

"  It  is  not  fit  you  should  set  yourself  up  to  re- 


100  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

prove  and  instruct  your  uncle.  I've  come  for 
that  money  you  are  going  to  lend  me." 

"  I  am  not  going  to  lend  you  any  money." 

"  Give  it  then;  that  will  be  all  the  better  for 
my  pocket. 

"  I  have  none  to  give  you  either,  Arthur;  papa 
has  positively  forbidden  me  to  supply  you  with 
money." 

"  How  much  have  you  here?  " 

"  That  is  a  question  you  have  no  right  to 
ask." 

"  Well,  I  know  you  are  never  without  a  pretty 
good  supply  of  the  needful,  and  I'm  needy.  So 
hand  it  over  without  any  more  ado;  otherwise  I 
shall  be  very  apt  to  help  myself." 

"  No,  you  will  not,"  she  said,  with  dignity. 
"If  you  attempt  to  rob  me,  I  shall  call  for  as- 
sistance." 

"  And  disgrace  the  family  by  giving  the  tattlers 
a  precious  bit  of  scandal  to  retail  in  regard  to  us/* 

"  If  you  care  for  the  family  credit  you  will  go 
away  at  once  and  leave  me  in  peace." 

"I  will,  eh?  I'll  go  when  I  get  what  I  came 
for,  and  not  before." 

Elsie  moved  toward  the  bell  rope,  but  antici- 
pating her  intention,  he  stepped  before  it,  saying 
with  a  jeering  laugh,  "  No,  you  don't! " 

"  Arthur,"  she  said,  drawing  herself  up,  and 
speaking  with  great  firmness  and  dignity,  "  leave 
this  room;  I  wish  to  be  alone." 

"Hoity-toity,  Miss  Dinsmore!  do  you  suppose 
Fm  to  be  ordered  about  by  you?  No,  indeed! 
And  I've  an  old  score  to  pay  off.  One  of  these 
days  111  be  revenged  on  you  and  old  Travilla,  too; 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  101 

nobody  shall  insult  and  abuse  me  with  impunity. 
Now  hand  over  that  cash! " 

"  Leave  this  room!  "  she  repeated. 

"  None  of  your  impudence! "  he  cried 

fiercely,  catching  her  by  the  arm  with  a  grasp  that 
wrong  from  her  a  low,  half-smothered  cry  of 
pain. 

But  footsteps  and  voices  were  heard  on  the 
stairs,  and  he  hastily  withdrew  by  the  window 
through  which  he  had  entered. 

Elsie  pulled  up  her  sleeve  and  looked  at  her 
arm.  Each  fimger  of  Arthur's  hand  had  left  its 
mark.  "  Oh,  how  angry  papa  would  be! "  she 
murmured  to  herself,  hastily  drawing  down  her 
skeve  again  as  the  door  opened  and  Chloe  came 
in,  followed  by  another  servant  bearing  a  small 
silver  waiter  loaded  with  dainties. 

"  Missus  tole  me  f otch  'em  up  with  her  com- 
pliments, an'  hopes  de  young  lady  '11  try  to  eat 
some,"  she  said,  setting  it  down  on  a  table. 

"  Mrs.  Carrington  is  very  kind.  Please  return 
her  my  thanks,  Minerva,"  said  Elsie,  making  a 
strong  effort  to  steady  her  voice. 

The  girl,  taken  up  with  the  excitement  of  what 
was  going  on  downstairs,  failed  to  notice  the 
slight  tremble  in  its  tones.  But  not  so  with 
Chloe.  As  the  other  hurried  from  the  room,  she 
took  her  nursling  in  her  arms,  and  gazing  into 
the  sweet  face  with  earnest,  loving  scrutiny, 
asked,  "What  de  matter,  darlin'?  what  hab  re- 
sturbed  you  so,  honey?  " 

"  You  mustn't  leave  me  alone,  to-night, 
mammy,"  Elsie  whispered,  clinging  to  her,  and 
half  hiding  her  face  on  her  breast.  "Don't  go 


102  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

out  of  the  room  at  all,  unless  it  is  to  step  on  the 
veranda." 

Chloe  was  much  surprised,  for  Elsie  had  never 
been  cowardly. 

"  'Deed  I  won't,  darlin',"  she  answered,  caress- 
ing the  shining  hair,  and  softly  rounded  cheek. 
"  But  what  my  bressed  chile  'f  raid  of  ?  " 

"  Mr.  Arthur,  mammy,"  Elsie  answered  scarcely 
above  her  breath.  "He  was  in  here  a  moment 
since,  and  if  I  were  alone  again  he  might  come 
back." 

"  An'  what  Marse  Arthur  doin'  yer  dis  time  ob 
night,  I  like  ter  know? — what  he  want  fright- 
enin'  my  chile  like  dis?  " 

"  Money,  mammy,  and  papa  has  forbidden  me 
to  let  him  have  any,  because  he  makes  a  bad  use 
of  it."  Elsie  knew  to  whom  she  spoke.  Chloe 
was  no  ordinary  servant,  and  could  be  trusted. 

"  Dear,  dear,  it's  drefful  that  Marse  Arthur 
takes  to  dem  bad  ways!  But  don't  go  for  to  fret, 
honey;  we'll  'gree  together  to  ask  de  Lord  to  turn 
him  to  de  right." 

"  Yes,  mammy,  you  must  help  me  to  pray  for 
him.  But  now  I  must  get  ready  for  bed;  I  have 
stayed  up  longer  than  papa  said  I  might." 

"  Won't  you  take  some  of  de  'f reshments  fust, 
honey?" 

Elsie  shook  her  head.  "  Eat  what  you  want  ol 
them,  mammy.  I  know  I  am  better  without." 


CHAPTEK  IX. 

There's  not  a  look,  a  word  of  thine 
My  soul  hath  e'er  forgot ; 
Thou  ne'er  hast  bid  a  ringlet  shine, 
Nor  given  thy  locks  one  graceful  twine, 
"Which  I  remember  not. 

— MOORE. 

THE  clock  on  the  stairway  was  just  striking 
nine,  as  some  one  tapped  lightly  on  the  door  of 
Elsie's  room,  leading  into  the  hall.  Chloe  rose 
and  opened  it.  "  Dat  you,  Scip?  " 

"Yes,  Aunt  Chloe;  de  missis  say  breakop's  is 
ready,  an'  will  Miss  Dinsmore  please  for  to  come 
if  she's  ready.  We  don't  ring  de  bell  fear  wakin' 
up  de  odder  young  ladies  an'  gemmen." 

Elsie  had  been  up  and  dressed  for  the  last 
hour,  which  she  had  spent  in  reading  her  Bible; 
a  book  not  less  dear  and  beautiful  in  her  esteem 
now  than  it  was  in  the  days  of  her  childhood. 
She  rose  and  followed  Scip  to  the  dining-room, 
where  she  found  the  older  members  of  the  family 
already  assembled,  and  about  to  sit  down  to  the 
table. 

"  Ah,  my  dear,  good-morning,"  said  Mrs.  Car- 
rington;  "  I  was  sure  you  would  be  up  and 
dressed:  but  the  others  were  so  late  getting  to 
bed  that  I  mean  they  shall  be  allowed  to  sleep  as 
long  as  they  will.  Ah!  and  here  comes  Herbert, 
too.  We  have  quite  a  party  after  all." 

106 


J04  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  I  should  think  you  would  need  a  long  nap 
this  morning  more  than  any  one  else,"  Elsie  said, 
addressing  Herbert. 

"  No/'  he  answered,  coloring.  "  I  took  ad- 
vantage of  my  semi-invalidism,  and  retired  very 
shortly  after  you  left  us." 

"  You  must  not  think  it  is  usual  for  us  to  be 
quite  so  late  on  Sunday  morning,  Elsie,"  observed 
Mr.  Carrington  as  he  sent  her  her  plate,  "  though 
I'm  afraid  we  are  hardly  as  early  risers,  even  on 
ordinary  occasions,  as  you  are  at  the  Oaks.  I 
don't  think  it's  a  good  plan  to  have  Saturday- 
night  parties,"  he  added,  looking  across  the  table 
at  his  wife. 

"  N"o,"  she  said  lightly;  "  but  we  must  blame 
it  all  on  the  birthday,  for  coming  when  it  did. 
And  though  we  are  late,  we  shall  still  be  in  time 
to  get  to  church.  Elsie,  will  you  go  with  us?" 

"  In  the  carriage  with  mother  and  me?  "  added 
Herbert. 

Elsie,  had  she  consulted  her  own  inclination 
merely,  would  have  greatly  preferred  to  ride  her 
pony,  but  seeing  the  eager  look  in  Herbert's  eyes, 
she  answered  smilingly  that  she  should  accept 
the  invitation  with  pleasure,  if  there  was  a  seat 
in  the  carriage  which  no  one  else  cared  to  oc- 
cupy. 

"  There  will  be  plenty  of  room,  my  dear,"  said 
Mr.  Carrington;  "father  and  mother  always  go 
by  themselves,  driving  an  ancient  mare  we  call 
old  Bess,  who  is  so  very  quiet  and  slow  that  no 
one  else  can  bear  to  ride  behind  her;  and  the 
boys  and  I  either  walk  or  ride  our  horses." 

It  was  time  to  set  out  almost  immediately  upoD 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  105 

leaving  the  table.  They  had  a  quiet  drive 
through  beautiful  pine  woods,  heard  an  excellent 
gospel  sermon,  and  returned  by  another  and 
equally  beautiful  route. 

Elsie's  mind  was  full  of  the  truth  to  which 
she  had  been  listening,  and  she  had  very  little 
to  say.  Mrs.  Carrington  and  Herbert,  too,  were 
unusually  silent;  the  latter  feeling  it  enjoyment 
enough  just  to  sit  by  Elsie's  side.  He  had  known 
»nd  loved  her  from  their  very  early  childhood; 
with  a  love  that  had  grown  and  strengthened 
year  by  year. 

"You  seem  much  fatigued,  Herbert,"  his 
mother  said  to  him,  as  a  servant  assisted  him 
from  the  carriage,  and  up  the  steps  of  the  ve- 
randa. "  I  am  almost  sorry  you  went." 

"  Oh,  no,  mother,  I'm  not  at  all  sorry,"  he 
answered  cheerfully;  "  I  shall  have  to  spend  the 
rest  of  the  day  on  my  couch,  but  that  sermon 
was  enough  to  repay  me  for  the  exertion  it  cost 
me  to  go  to  hear  it."  Then  he  added  in  an 
undertone  to  Elsie,  who  stood  near,  looking  at 
him  with  pitying  eyes,  "  I  shan't  mind  having 
to  lie  still  if  you  will  give  me  your  company  for 
even  a  part  of  the  time." 

"  Certainly  you  shall  have  it,  if  it  will  be  any 
comfort  to  you/"  she  answered,  with  her  own 
sweet  smile. 

"  You  must  not  be  too  exacting  towards  Elsie, 
my  son,"  said  his  mother,  shaking  up  his  pillows 
for  him,  and  settling  him  comfortably  on  them; 
"  she  is  always  so  ready  to  sacrifice  herself  for 
others  that  she  would  not,  I  fear,  refuse  such 
a  request,  however  much  it  might  cost  her  to 


106  ELSIE'S  GIELEOOD. 

grant  it.  And  no  doubt  she  will  want  to  be  with 
the  other  girls." 

"  Yes,  it  was  just  like  my  selfishness  to  ask  it, 
Elsie,  and  never  think  how  distasteful  it  might 
be  to  you.  I  take  it  all  back,"  he  said,  blushing, 
but  with  a  wisti'ul  look  in  his  eyes  that  she  could 
never  have  withstood,  had  she  wished  to  do  so. 

"  It's  too  late  for  that,  since  I  have  already 
accepted,"  she  said  with  an  arch  look  as  she 
turned  away.  "  But  don't  worry  yourself  about 
me;  I  shall  follow  my  own  inclination  in  regard 
to  the  length  of  my  visit,  making  it  very  short 
if  I  find  your  society  irksome  or  disagreeable." 

The  other  girls  were  promenading  on  the  up- 
per veranda  in  full  dinner  dress. 

Carrie  hailed  .  Elsie  in  a  lively  tone.  "  So 
you've  been  to  church,  like  a  good  Christian,  leav- 
ing us  three  lazy  sinners  taking  our  ease  at  home. 
We  took  our  breakfasts  in  bed,  and  have  only 
just  finished  our  toilets." 

"Well,  and  why  shouldn't  we?"  said  Enna; 
"  we  don't  profess  to  be  saints." 

"  No,  I  just  said  we  were  sinners.  But  don't 
think  too  ill  of  us,  Elsie,  it  was  so  late — or  rather 
early — well  on  into  the  small  hours — when  we 
retired,  that  a  long  morning  nap  became  a  ne- 
cessity." 

"  I  don't  pretend  to  judge  you,  Carrie,"  Elsie 
answered  gently,  "  it  is  not  for  me  to  do  so;  and 
I  acknowledge  that  though  I  retired  much  earlier 
than  you,  I  slept  a  full  hour  past  my  usual  time 
for  rising." 

"You'll  surely  have  to  do  penance  for  that/1 
sneered  Enna. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  107 

"No,  she  shan't/'  said  Lucy,  putting  her  arm 
around  her  friend's  slender  waist.  "  Come,  prom- 
enade with  me  till  the  dinner-bell  rings,  the  ex- 
ercise will  do  you  good." 

The  lively  chat  of  the  girls  seemed  to  our  hero- 
ine so  unsuited  to  the  sacredness  of  the  day  that 
she  rejoiced  in  the  excuse  Herbert's  invitation 
gave  her  for  withdrawing  herself  from  their  so- 
ciety for  the  greater  part  of  the  afternoon.  She 
found  him  alone,  lying  on  his  sofa,  apparently 
asleep;  but  at  the  sound  of  her  light  footstep  he 
opened  his  eyes  and  looked  up  with  a  joyous 
smile.  "  I'm  so  glad  to  see  you!  how  good  of  you 
to  come!"  he  cried  delightedly.  "It's  abomin- 
ably selfish  of  me,  though.  Don't  let  me  keep 
you  from  having  a  good  time  with  the  rest." 

"The  Sabbath  is  hardly  the  day  for  what 
people  usually  mean  by  a  good  time,  is  it  ?  "  she 
said,  taking  possession  of  a  low  rocking-chair 
that  stood  by  the  side  of  his  couch. 

"  No,  but  it  is  the  day  of  days  for  real  good, 
happy  times;  everything  is  so  quiet  and  still  that 
it  is  easier  than  on  other  days  to  lift  one's 
thoughts  to  God  and  Heaven.  Oh,  Elsie,  I  owe 
you  a  great  debt  of  gratitude,  that  I  can  never 
repay." 

"For  what,  Herbert?" 

"Ah,  don't  you  know  it  was  you  who  first 
taught  me  the  sweetness  of  carrying  all  my  trials 
and  troubles  to  Jesus?  Years  ago,  when  we 
were  very  little  children,  you  told  me  what  com- 
fort and  happiness  you  found  in  so  doing,  and 
begged  me  to  try  it  for  myself." 

"And  you  did?" 


SOtt  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"Yes,  and  have  continued  to  do  so  ever 
since." 

"  And  that  is  what  enables  you  to  be  so  patient 
and  uncomplaining." 

"  If  I  am.  But  ah!  you  don't  know  the  dread- 
fully rebellious  feelings  that  sometimes  will  take 
possession  of  me,  especially  when,  after  the  dis- 
ease has  seemed  almost  eradicated  from  my  sys- 
tem, it  suddenly  returns  to  make  me  as  helpless 
and  full  of  pain  as  ever.  Nobody  knows  how 
bard  it  is  to  endure  it;  how  weary  I  grow  of  life; 
how  unendurably  heavy  my  burden  seems." 

"  Yes,  He  knows,"  she  murmured  softly.  "  In 
all  their  afflictions  He  was  afflicted;  and  the  angel 
of  His  presence  saved  them." 

"Yes,  He  is  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our 
infirmities.  Oh,  how  sweet  and  comforting  it  is!  " 

They  were  silent  for  a  moment;  then  turning 
to  her,  he  asked,  "  Are  you  ever  afraid  that  your 
troubles  and  cares  are  too  trifling  for  His  notice? 
that  you  will  weary  and  disgust  Him  with  your 
continual  coming?  " 

"  I  asked  papa  about  that  once,  and  I  shall 
never  forget  the  tender,  loving  look  he  gave  me 
as  he  said:  '  Daughter,  do  I  ever  seem  to  feel 
that  anything  which  affects  your  comfort  or  hap- 
piness one  way  or  the  other,  is  too  trifling  to 
interest  and  concern  me?'  'Oh,  no,  no,  papa/ 
I  said;  'you  have  often  told  me  you  would  be 
glad  to  know  that  I  had  not  a  thought  or  feeling 
concealed  from  you;  and  you  always  seem  to  like 
to  have  me  come  to  you  with  every  little  thing 
that  makes  me  either  glad  or  sorry/  '  I  am,  my 
darling/  he  answered,  '  just  because  you  are  so 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  109 

very  near  and  dear  to  me  ;  and  what  does  the 
Bible  tell  us?  "  Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  chil- 
dren, so  the  Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear  Him!  "'" 

"  Yes,"  said  Herbert,  musingly.  "  Then  that 
text  somewhere  in  Isaiah  about  His  love  being 
greater  than  a  mother's  for  her  little  helpless 
babe." 

"And  what  Jesus  said  :  'Are  not  two  spar- 
rows sold  for  a  farthing  ?  and  not  one  of  them 
shall  fall  to  the  ground  without  your  Father. 
But  the  very  hairs  of  your  head  are  all  numbered. 
Fear  ye  not  therefore,  ye  are  of  more  value  than 
many  sparrows.'  And  then  the  command  :  *  In 
everything  by  prayer  and  supplication,  with 
thanksgiving  let  your  requests  be  made  known 
unto  God.'  Papa  reminded  me,  too,  of  God's  in- 
finite wisdom  and  power,  of  the  great  worlds, 
countless  in  number,  that  He  keeps  in  motion — 
the  sun  and  planets  of  many  solar  systems  be- 
sides our  own — and  then  the  myriads  upon  myri- 
ads of  tiny  insects  that  crowd  earth,  air,  and 
water  ;  God's  care  and  providence  ever  over  them 
all.  Oh,  one  does  not  know  how  to  take  it  in  ! 
one  cannot  realize  the  half  of  it.  God  does  not 
know  the  distinctions  that  we  do  between  great 
and  small,  and  it  costs  Him  no  effort  to  attend 
at  one  and  the  same  time,  to  all  His  creatures 
and  all  their  affairs." 

"No,  that  is  true.  Oh,  how  great  and  how 
good  He  is!  and  how  sweet  to  know  of  His  good- 
ness and  love  ;  to  feel  that  he  hears  and  answers 
prayer  !  I  would  not  give  that  up  for  perfect 
health  and  vigor,  and  all  the  wealth  of  the  worl<J 
beside." 


110  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  I  think  I  would  give  up  everything  else  first"; 
and  oh,  I  am  so  glad  for  you,  Herbert,"  she  said 
softly. 

Then  they  opened  their  Bibles  and  read  sev- 
eral chapters  together,  verse  about,  pausing  now 
and  then  to  compare  notes,  as  to  their  under- 
standing of  the  exact  meaning  of  some  particu- 
lar passage,  or  to  look  out  a  reference,  or  consult 
a  commentary. 

"I'm  excessively  tired  of  the  house;  do  let's 
take  a  walk,"  said  Enna,  as  they  stood  or  sat 
about  the  veranda  after  tea. 

"Do  you  second  the  motion,  Miss  Howard?" 
asked  Harr}r. 

"  Yes,"  she  said,  rising  and  taking  his  offered 
arm.  "  Elsie,  you'll  go  too?  " 

"  Oh,  there's  no  use  in  asking  her!  "  cried 
Enna.  "  She  is  much  too  good  to  do  anything 
pleasant  on  Sunday." 

"Indeed!  I  was  not  aware  of  that."  And 
Harry  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  threw  a  comi- 
cal look  at  Elsie.  "  What  is  your  objection  to 
pleasant  things,  Miss  Dinsmore?  To  be  quite 
consistent  you  should  object  to  yourself." 

Elsie  smiled.  "  Enna  must  excuse  me  for  say- 
ing that  she  makes  a  slight  mistake;  for  while  it 
is  true  my  conscience  would  not  permit  me 
to  go  pleasuring  on  the  Sabbath,  yet  it  does  not 
object  to  many  things  that  I  find  very  pleasant." 

"  Such  as  saying  your  prayers,  reading  the 
Bible,  and  going  to  church?" 

"Yes,  Enna;  those  are  real  pleasures  to  me." 

"  But  to  come  to  the  point,  will  you  walk  with 
us  ?  "  asked  Lucy. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  Ill 

"  Thank  you,  no:  not  to-night.  But  please 
'don't  mind  me.  I  have  no  right,  and  don't  pre- 
sume to  decide  such  questions  for  anyone  but 
myself." 

"  Then,  if  you'll  excuse  us,  we'll  leave  mamma 
and  Herbert  to  entertain  you  for  a  short  time." 

The  short  time  proved  to  be  two  hours  or 
more,  and  long  before  the  return  of  the  little 
party,  Mrs.  Carrington  went  into  the  house,  leav- 
ing the  two  on  the  veranda  alone. 

They  sang  hymns  together  for  a  while,  then 
fell  to  silent  musing.  Herbert  was  the  first  to 
speak.  He  still  lay  upon  his  sofa;  Elsie  sitting 
near,  her  face  at  that  moment  upturned  to  the 
sky,  where  the  full  moon  was  shining,  and  look- 
ing wondrous  sweet  and  fair  in  the  soft  silvery 
light.  Her  thoughts  seemed  far  away,  and  she 
started  and  turned  quickly  toward  him  as  he 
softly  breathed  her  name. 

"  Oh,  Elsie,  this  has  been  such  a  happy  day  to 
me!  What  joy,  what  bliss,  if  we  could  be  always 
together!  " 

"  If  you  were  only  my  brother!  I  wish  you 
were,  Herbert." 

"  No,  no,  I  do  not;  for  I  would  be  something 
much  nearer  and  dearer.  Oh,  Elsie,  if  you  only 
would! "  he  went  on,  speaking  very  fast  and  ex- 
citedly. "  You  thought  I  was  joking  last  night, 
but  I  was  not,  I  was  in  earnest;  never  more  so 
in  my  life.  Oh,  do  you  think  you  could  like  me, 
Elsie?  " 

"  Why,  yes,  Herbert;  I  do,  and  always  have  ever 
wince  we  first  became  acquainted." 

"  No,  I  didn't  mean  like,  I  meant  love.    Elsie, 


212  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

could  you  love  me — love  me  well  enough  to  marry 
me?" 

"  Why,  Herbert;  what  an  idea! "  she  stam- 
mered, her  face  flushing  visibly  in  the  moonlight. 
"  You  don't  know  how  you  surprise  me;  surely 
we  are  both  too  young  to  be  thinking  of  such 
things.  Papa  says  I  am  not  even  to  consider  my- 
self a  young  lady  for  three  or  four  years  yet.  I'm 
nothing  but  a  child.  And  you,  Herbert,  are  not 
much  older." 

"  Six  months;  but  that's  quite  enough  differ- 
ence. And  your  father  needn't  object  on  the 
score  of  our  youth.  You  are  as  old  now  as  I've 
been  told  your  mother  was  when  he  married  her, 
and  another  year  will  make  me  as  old  as  he  was. 
And  your  Aunts  Louisa  and  Lora  were  both  en- 
gaged before  they  were  sixteen.  It's  not  at  all 
uncommon  for  girls  in  this  part  of  the  country 
to  marry  before  they  are  that  old.  But  I  know 
I'm  not  half  good  enough  for  you,  Elsie.  A  king 
might  be  proud  to  win  you  for  his  bride,  and  I'm 
only  a  poor,  good-for-nothing  cripple,  not  worth 
anybody's  aceptance."  And  he  turned  away  his 
face,  with  something  that  sounded  very  like  a 
sob. 

Elsie's  kind  heart  was  touched.  "No,  Her- 
bert, you  must  not  talk  so.  You  are  a  dear,  good, 
noble  fellow,  worthy  of  any  lady  in  the  land/"' 
she  said,  half  playfully,  half  tenderly  and  laying 
her  little  soft  white  hand  over  his  mouth. 

He  caught  it  in  his  and  pressed  it  passionately 
to  his  lips,  there  holding  it  fast.  "  Oh,  Elsie,  if 
it  were  only  mine  to  keep!"  he  cried,  "I'd  be 
the  happiest  fellow  in  the  world." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  113 

She  looked  at  his  pale,  thin  face.,  worn  \vitK 
suffering,  into  his  eyes  so  full  of  pasionate  en- 
treaty; thought  what  a  dear  lovable  fellow  he  had 
always  been,  and  forgot  herself  entirely — forgot 
everything  but  the  desire  to  relieve  and  comfort 
him,  and  make  him  happy. 

"  Only  tell  me  that  you  care  for  me,  darling, 
and  that  you  are  willing  some  day  to  belong  to 
me!  only  give  me  a  little  hope;  I  shall  die  if  you 
don't! " 

"  I  do  care  for  you,  Herbert;  I  would  do  any- 
thing in  my  power  to  make  you  happy." 

"  Then  I  may  call  you  my  own!  Oh,  darling, 
God  bless  you  for  your  goodness! " 

But  the  clock  was  striking  nine,  and  with  the 
sound,  a  sudden  recollection  came  to  Elsie.  "  It 
is  my  bed-time,  and — and,  Herbert,  it  will  all 
have  to  be  just  as  papa  says.  I  belong  to  him, 
and  cannot  give  myself  away  without  his  permis- 
sion. Good-night."  She  hastily  withdrew  the 
hand  he  still  held,  and  was  gone  ere  he  had  time 
to  reply. 

"  What  had  she  done — something  of  which 
papa  would  highly  disapprove?  Would  he  be 
very  much  vexed  with  her?  "  Elsie  asked  herself 
half-tremblingly,  as  she  sat  passively  under  her 
old  mammy's  hands;  for  her  father's  displeasure 
was  the  one  thing  she  dreaded  above  all  others. 

She  was  just  ready  for  be^l  when  a  light  tap 
on  the  door  was  followed  by  the  entrance  of  Mrs. 
Carrington. 

"  I  wish  to  see  your  young  mistress  alone  for 
a  few  moments,  Aunt  Chloe,"  she  said,  and  the 
faithful  creature  went  from  the  room  at  once. 


114  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

Mrs.  Carrington  threw  her  arms  around  Elsie, 
folded  her  in  close,  loving  embrace,  and  kissed 
her  fondly  again  and  again.  "  My  dear  child, 
how  happy  you  have  made  me! "  she  whispered 
at  last.  ''  Herbert  has  told  me  all.  Dear  boy,  he 
could  not  keep  such  good  news  from  his  mother. 
I  know  of  nothing  that  could  have  brought  me 
deeper  joy  and  thankfulness,  for  I  have  always 
had  a  mother's  love  for  you." 

Elsie  felt  bewildered,  almost  stunned.  "  I — 
I'm  afraid  you — he  has  misunderstood  me;  it — 
it  must  be  as  papa  says,"  she  stammered;  "  I  can- 
not decide  it  for  myself,  I  have  no  right." 

"  Certainly,  my  dear,  that  is  all  very  right,  very 
proper;  parents  should  always  be  consulted  in 
these  matters.  But  your  papa  loves  you  too  well 
to  raise  any  objection  when  he  sees  that  your 
heart  is  interested.  And  Herbert  is  worthy  of 
you,  though  his  mother  says  it;  he  is  a  noble, 
true-hearted  fellow,  well-educated,  handsome, 
talented,  polished  in  manners,  indeed  all  that 
anybody  could  ask,  if  he  were  but  well;  and  we 
do  not  despair  of  seeing  him  eventually  quite  re- 
stored to  health.  But  I  am  keeping  you  up,  and 
I  know  that  your  papa  is  very  strict  and  particu- 
lar about  your  observance  of  his  rules;  so  good- 
night." And,  with  another  caress,  she  left  her. 

Thought  was  very  busy  in  Elsie's  brain  as  she 
laid  her  head  upon  her  pillow.  It  was  delightful 
to  have  given  such  joy  and  happiness  to  Herbert 
and  his  mother.  Lucy,  too,  she  felt  sure  would 
be  very  glad  to  learn  that  they  were  to  be  sisters. 
But  her  own  papa,  how  would  he  feel — what 
would  he  say?  Only  the  other  day  he  had  re- 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD,  115 

minded  her  how  entirely  she  belonged  to  him — 
that  no  other  had  the  slightest  claim  upon  her, 
and  as  he  spoke,  the  clasp  of  his  arms  seemed 
to  say  that  he  would  defy  the  whole  world  to  take 
her  from  him.  No,  he  would  never  give  her  up; 
and  somehow  she  was  not  at  all  miserable  at  the 
thought;  but  on  the  contrary  it  sent  a  thrill  of 
joy  to  her  heart;  it  was  so  sweet  to  be  so  loved  and 
cherished  by  him,  "  her  own  dear,  dear  papa!  " 

But  then  another  thing  came  to  her  remem- 
brance; his  pity  for  poor  suffering  Herbert;  his 
expressed  willingness  to  do  anything  he  could  to 
make  him  happy — and  again  she  doubted  whether 
he  would  accept  or  reject  the  boy's  suit  for  her 
hand. 

Carrie  and  Enna  were  to  leave  at  an  early  hour 
on  Monday  morning.  They  came  into  Elsie's 
room  for  a  parting  chat  while  waiting  for  the 
ringing  of  the  breakfast  bell;  so  the  three  went 
down  together  to  answer  its  summons,  and  thus 
she  was  spared  the  necessity  of  entering  the  din- 
ing room  alone — an  ordeal  she  had  really 
dreaded;  a  strange  and  painful  shyness  toward 
the  whole  family  at  Ashlands  having  suddenly 
come  over  her.  She  managed  to  conceal  it  pretty 
well,  but  carefully  avoided  meeting  Herbert's  eye, 
or  those  of  his  parents. 

The  girls  left  directly  on  the  conclusion  of 
the  meal,  and  having  seen  them  off,  Elsie  slipped 
away  to  her  own  room.  But  Lucy  followed  her 
almost  immediately,  fairly  wild  with  delight  at 
the  news  Herbert  had  just  been  giving  her. 

"  Oh,  you  darling ! "  she  cried,  hugging  her 
friend  with  all  her  might.  "  I  never  was  so  glad 


116  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

in  all  my  life!  To  think  that  I'm  to  have  you 
for  a  sister!  I  could  just  eat  you  up! " 

"  I  hope  you  won't/'  said  Elsie,  laughing  and 
blushing,  as  she  returned  the  embrace  as  heartily 
as  it  was  given.  "  But  we  must  not  be  too  sure; 
I'm  not  at  all  certain  of  papa's  consent/' 

"  No,  I  just  expect  he'll  object  to  Herbie  on 
account  of  his  lameness,  and  his  ill  health.  I 
don't  think  we  ought  to  blame  him  if  he  does 
either."  And  Lucy  suddenly  sobered  down  to 
more  than  her  ordinary  gravity.  "  Ah,  I  forgot/' 
she  said,  a  moment  after;  "  Herbert  begs  that 
you  will  come  down  and  let  him  talk  with  you  a 
little  if  you  are  not  particularly  engaged." 

Elsie  answering  that  she  had  nothing  to  do, 
her  time  was  quite  at  his  disposal,  the  two  tripped 
downstairs,  each  with  an  arm  about  the  other's 
^raist,  as  they  had  done  so  often  in  the  days  of 
their  childhood. 

They  found  Herbert  on  the  veranda,  not  lying 
down,  but  seated  on  his  sofa.  "  You  are  better 
this  morning?"  Elsie  said  with  a  glad  look  up 
into  his  face,  as  he  rose,  leaning  on  his  crutch,  and 
gave  her  the  other  hand. 

"  Yes,  thank  you,  much  better.  Joy  has  proved 
so  great  a  cordial  that  I  begin  to  hope  it  may 
work  a  complete  cure."  He  drew  her  to  a  seat 
by  his  side,  and  Lucy  considerately  went  away 
and  left  them  alone. 

"You  have  not  changed  your  mind,  Elsie?" 
His  tone  was  low  and  half  tremulous  in  its  eager- 
ness. 

"  N"o,  Herbert;  but  it  all  rests  with  papa,  you 
know." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  117 

"I  hardly  dare  ask  him  for  you,  it  seems  like 
such  presumption  in  a — a  cripple  like  me." 

"Don?t  say  that,  Herbert.  Would  you  love 
me  less  if  I  should  become  lame  or  ill?" 

"  No,  no,  never!  but  I  couldn't  bear  to  have  any 
such  calamity  come  upon  you.  I  can  hardly 
bear  that  you  should  have  a  lame  husband.  The 
thought  of  it  makes  my  trial  harder  to  bear  than 
ever." 

"  It  is  God's  will,  and  we  must  not  fight  against 
it,"  she  said  softly. 

They  conversed  for  some  time  longer.  He  was 
very  anxious  to  gain  Mr.  Dinsmore's  consent  to 
their  engagement,  yet  shrank  from  asking  it, 
fearing  an  indignant  refusal;  most  of  all,  he 
dreaded  a  personal  interview;  and,  but  ill  able  to 
take  the  ride  to  the  Oaks,  it  was  finally  decided 
between  them  that  he  should  make  his  applica- 
tion by  letter,  doing  so  at  once. 

A  servant  was  summoned  to  bring  him  his 
writing  materials,  and  Elsie  left  him  to  his  trying 
task,  while  she  and  Lucy  and  Harry  mounted 
their  horses  and  were  away  for  a  brisk,  delightful 
ride  through  the  woods  and  over  the  hills. 

"It's  gone,  Elsie,"  Herbert  whispered,  when 
she  came  down  dressed  for  dinner.  "  I  wrote  it 
twice;  it  didn't  suit  me  then,  but  my  strength 
was  quite  exhausted,  so  it  had  to  go.  I  hope  the 
answer  will  come  soon,  but  oh,  I  shall  be  almost 
afraid  to  open  it." 

"  Don't  feel  so;  papa  is  very  good  and  kind. 
He  pities  you  so  much,  too,"  and  she  repeated 
what  he  had  said  about  being  willing  to  do  any* 
thing  he  could  for  him. 


118  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

Herbert's  face  grew  bright  with  hope  as  he 
listened.  "And  do  you  think  he'll  answer  at 
once?"  he  asked. 

"  Yes,  papa  is  always  very  prompt  and  decided; 
never  keeps  one  long  in  suspense." 

Mr.  Carrington  met  our  heroine  at  the  dinner* 
table  with  such  a  bright,  glad  smile,  and  treated 
Jier  in  so  kind  and  fatherly  a  manner  that  she 
felt  sure  he  knew  all,  and  was  much  pleased  with 
the  prospect  before  them.  But  she  was  afraid 
Harry  did  not  like  it — did  not  want  her  for  a 
sister.  lie  was  usually  very  gay  and  talkative, 
full  of  fun  and  frolic.  He  had  been  so  during 
their  ride,  but  now  his  manner  seemed  strangely 
altered;  he  was  moody  and  taciturn,  almost  cross. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Keen  are  the  pangs 
Of  hapless  love  and  passion  unapproved. 

—SMOLLETT'S  "  REGICIDE." 

HARDLY  anything  could  have  been  more  dis- 
tasteful to  Horace  Dinsmore  than  the  state  of 
affairs  revealed  to  him  by  Herbert  Carrington's 
note.  He  was  greatly  vexed,  not  at  the  lad'q 
manner  of  preferring  his  request,  but  that  it 
should  have  been  made  at  all.  He  was  not  ready 
yet  to  listen  to  such  a  proposal  coming  from  any 
person,  however  eligible,  much  less  from  one  so 
sadly  afflicted  as  poor  Herbert.  He  sought  his 
wife's  presence  with  the  missive  in  his  hand. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  my  dear?  "  she  asked; 
"I  have  seldom  seen  you  so  disturbed." 

"The  most  absurd  nonsense!  the  most  ridicu- 
lously provoking  affair!  Herbert  Carrington 
asking  me  to  give  him  my  daughter!  I  don't 
wonder  at  your  astonished  look,  Rose;  a  couple  of 
silly  children.  I  should  have  given  either  of  them 
credit  for  more  sense." 

"  It  has  certainly  taken  me  very  much  by  sur- 
prise," said  Rose,  smiling.  "  I  cannot  realize  that 
Elsie  is  grown  up  enough  to  be  beginning  with 
such  things;  yet  you  know  she  has  passed  her 
fifteenth  birthday,  and  that  half  the  girls  about 
here  become  engaged  before  they  are  sixteen/' 


120  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"But  Elsie  shall  not.  I'll  have  no  nonsense 
of  the  kind  for  years  to  come.  She  shall  not 
marry  a  day  before  she  is  twenty-one,  I  had 
nearly  said  twenty-five;  and  I  don't  think  I'll  al- 
low it  before  then." 

Eose  laughed.  "  My  dear,  do  you  know  what 
my  age  was  when  you  married  me?" 

"  Twenty-one,  you  told  me." 

"  Don't  you  think  my  father  ought  then  to 
have  kept  us  waiting  four  years  longer?" 

"No,"  he  answered,  stooping  to  stroke  her 
hair,  and  snatch  a  kiss  from  her  rich  red  lips. 

She  looked  up  smilingly  into  his  face.  "  Ah, 
consistency  is  a  jewel!  and  pray  how  old  were  you 
when  you  married  the  first  time?  and  what  was 
then  the  age  of  Elsie's  mother?" 

"  Your  arguments  are  not  unanswerable,  Mrs. 
Dinsmore.  Your  father  could  spare  you,  having 
several  other  daughters;  I  have  but  one,  and 
can't  spare  her.  Elsie's  mother  was  not  older 
when  I  married  her,  it  is  true,  than  Elsie  is  now, 
but  was  much  more  mature,  and  had  neither  the 
happy  home  nor  the  doting  father  her  daughter 
has.  And  as  for  myself,  though  much  too  young 
to  marry,  I  was  a  year  older  than  this  Herbert 
Carrington;  and  I  was  in  sound  and  vigorous 
health,  while  he,  poor  fellow,  is  sadly  crippled, 
and  likely  always  to  be  an  invalid,  and  very  un- 
likely to  live  to  so  much  as  see  his  majority.  Do 
you  think  I  ought  for  a  moment  to  contemplate 
allowing  Elsie  to  sacrifice  herself  to  him?  " 

"It  would  seem  a  terrible  sacrifice;  and  yet 
after  all  it  will  depend  very  much  upon  the  state 
of  her  own  feelings." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  121 

"If  she  were  five  or  six  years  older,  I  should 
say  yes  to  that;  but  girls  of  her  age  are  not  fit 
to  choose  a  companion  for  life;  taste  and  judg- 
ment are  not  matured,  and  the  man  who  pleases 
them  now  may  be  utterly  repugnant  to  them  in 
after  years.  Is  not  that  so  ?  " 

"  Yes;  and  I  think  your  decision  is  wise  and 
kind.  Still,  I  am  sorry  for  the  poor  boy,  and 
hope  you  will  deal  very  gently  and  kindly  with 
him." 

"  I  shall  certainly  try  to  do  so.  I  pity  him, 
and  cannot  blame  him  for  fancying  my  lovely 
daughter — I  really  don't  see  how  he  or  any  young 
fellow  can  help  it,  but  he  can't  have  her,  and  of 
course  I  must  tell  him  so.  I  must  see  Elsie  first 
however,  and  have  already  sent  her  a  note  order- 
ing her  home  immediately." 

"  Come  into  my  room  for  a  little,  dear,"  Mrs. 
Norris  whispered  to  Elsie  as  they  rose  from  the 
dinner  table.  "  Herbert  must  not  expect  to  mo- 
nopolize all  your  time." 

It  turned  out  that  all  the  old  lady  wanted  was 
an  opportunity  to  express  her  delight  in  the  pros- 
pect of  some  day  claiming  Elsie  as  her  grand- 
daughter, and  to  pet  and  fondle  her  a  little.  Mr. 
Norris  did  his  share  of  that  also,  and  when  at 
length  they  let  her  go  she  encountered  Mr.  Car- 
rington  in  the  hall,  and  had  to  submit  to  some 
thing  more  of  the  same  sort  from  him. 

"  We  are  all  heartily  rejoiced,  little  Elsie,"  he 
said,  "  all  of  us  who  know  the  secret;  it  is  to  be 
kept  from  the  children,  of  course,  till  your 
father's  consent  has  made  all  certain.  But  there 
is  Lucy  looking  for  you;  Herbert  has  sent  her, 


122  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

I  daresay.  No  doubt  he  grudges  every  moment 
that  you  are  out  of  his  sight." 

That  was  true,  and  his  glad  look,  as  she  took 
her  accustomed  place  by  the  side  of  his  couch, 
was  pleasant  to  see.  But  he  was  not  selfish  in 
his  happiness,  and  seemed  well  satisfied  to  sharp 
Elsie's  society  with  his  sister. 

The  three  were  making  very  merry  together, 
when  a  servant  from  the  Oaks  was  seen  riding 
leisurely  up  the  avenue.  He  had  some  small 
white  object  in  his  hand  which  he  began  waving 
about  his  head  the  moment  he  saw  that  he  had 
attracted  their  attention. 

"  It's  a  letter!  "  exclaimed  Lucy.  "  Han,  Scip," 
to  the  two  little  blacks  who,  as  usual,  were  tum- 
bling over  each  other  on  the  grass  near  by,  "  run, 
one  of  you  and  get  it,  quick  now! " 

"What — who — Miss  Lucy?"  they  cried,  jump- 
ing up. 

"Yonder;  don't  you  see  Mr.  Dinsmore's  map 
with  a  letter?  Run  and  get  it,  quick! " 

"  Yes'm! "  and  both  scampered  off  in  the  di- 
rection of  the  horseman,  who,  suddenly  urging 
on  his  steed  ,  was  now  rapidly  nearing  the  house. 

"Hollo!  dar  now,  you  ole  Jim! "  shouted  Scip, 
making  a  dash  at  the  horse,  "  who  dat  lettah  fur? 
You  gub  urn  to  me." 

A  contemptuous  sniff  was  the  only  answer,  and 
dashing  by  them,  Jim  drew  rein  close  to  the 
veranda.  "  Massa  he  send  dis  for  you,  Miss  El- 
sie," he  said,  holding  out  the  letter  to  her. 

She  sprang  forward,  took  it  from  his  hand  and 
hastily  tore  open  the  envelope,  the  rich  color  com- 
ing and  going  in  her  cheek.  A  glance  was  suffi- 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  123 

cient,  and  turning  her  flushed  face  to  the 
anxious,  expectant  Herbert:  "  Papa  has  sent  fou 
me  to  return  home  immediately "  she  said;  "I 
must  go." 

"  Oh,  Elsie,  must  you  indeed?  and  is  there  no) 
word  for  me — none  at  all?" 

"  Yes,  he  says  you  shall  hear  from  Kim  to-dajij 
or  to-morrow." 

She  had  gone  close  to  him  and  was  speaking 
in  a  low  tone  that  the  servants  might  not  hear. 
Herbert  took  both  her  hands  in  his.  "  Oh,  I  am 
so  sorry!  You  were  to  have  stayed  two  days 
longer.  I  fear  this  sudden  recall  does  not  argue 
well  for  me.  Is  he  angry,  do  you  think?" 

"  I  don't  know,  I  can't  tell.  The  note  is  sim- 
ply an  order  for  me  to  come  home  at  once  and! 
the  message  to  you  that  I  have  given;  nothing 
more  at  all.  Jim  is  to  see  me  safely  to  the 
Oaks."  Then  turning  to  the  mesenger,  "  Go  and! 
saddle  Glossy,  and  bring  her  round  at  once,  Jim," 
she  said. 

"  Yes,  Miss  Elsie,  hab  her  roun'  in  less  dan  noi 
time." 

"  Go  with  Jim  to  the  stables,  Han,"  said  Her- 
bert, sighing  as  he  spoke. 

"  Elsie,  I  can't  bear  to  have  you  leave  us  so  sud- 
denly," cried  Lucy;  "it  does  seem  too  bad  of 
your  father,  after  giving  you  permission  to  stay. 
a  whole  week,  to  go  and  dock  off  two  days." 

"  But  papa  has  a  right,  and  I  can't  complain. 
I've  nothing  to  do  but  obey.  I'll  go  up  and  have 
my  riding-habit  put  on,  while  Glossy  is  being 
eadled." 

"Miss  Elsie,"  said  Jim,  leisurely  dismounting, 


124  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  massa  say  de  wagon  be  here  in  'bout  an  hour 
for  de  trunk,  an'  Aunt  Chloe  mus'  hab  'em  ready 
by  dat  time;  herself  too." 

"  Very  well.,  she  shall  do  so,"  and  with  anothen 
whispered  word  to  Herbert,  Elsie  went  into  the 
house,  Lucy  going  with  her. 

"  Why,  my  dear,  this  is  very  sudden,  is  it  not?'* 
exclaimed  Mrs.  Carrington,  meeting  her  young 
guest  as  she  came  down  dressed  for  her  ride.  "  I 
thought  you  were  to  stay  a  week,  and  hoped  you 
were  enjoying  your  visit  as  much  as  we  were." 

"  Thank  you,  dear  Mrs.  Carrington;  I  have 
had  a  delightful  time,  but  papa  has  sent  for  me." 

"  And  like  a  good  child,  you  obey  at  once." 

"My  father's  daughter  would  never  dare  to 
Ho  otherwise,"  replied  Elsie,  smiling;  "  though 
I  hope  I  should  not,  if  I  did  dare." 

"  You'll  come  again  soon — often,  till  I  can  get 
strength  to  go  to  you?"  Herbert  said  entreat- 
ingly,  as  he  held  her  hand  in  parting.  "  And 
we'll  correspond,  won't  we?  I  should  like  to  write 
and  receive  a  note  every  day  when  we  do  not 
meet." 

"  I  don't  know;  I  can  promise  nothing  till  I 
have  asked  permission  of  papa." 

"But  if  he  allows  it?" 

."If  he  allows  it,  yes;  good-bye." 

Dearly  as  Elsie  loved  her  father,  she  more  than 
half  dreaded  the  meeting  with  him  now;  so  en- 
tirely uncertain  was  she  how  he  would  feel  in  re- 
gard to  this  matter. 

He  was  on  the  veranda,  watching  for  her. 
Xiifting  her  from  her  horse,  he  led  her  into  his 
study.  Then  putting  an  arm  about  her  waist, 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  125 

his  other  hand  under  her  chin  so  that  her  blush- 
ing, downcast  face  was  fully  exposed  to  his  gaze, 
*'  What  does  all  this  mean?"  he  asked.  "Look 
up  into  my  face  and  tell  me  if  it  is  really  true- 
that  you  want  me  to  give  you  away?  if  it  is  pos- 
sible that  you  love  that  boy  better  than  your 
father?" 

She  lifted  her  eyes  as  he  bade  her,  but  dropped 
them  again  instantly;  then  as  he  finished  his  sen- 
tence, "Oh,  no,  no,  papa!  not  half  so  well;  how- 
could  you  think  it?"  she  cried,  throwing  her 
arms  about  his  neck,  and  hiding  her  face  on  his 
breast. 

"  Ah,  is  that  so?  "  he  said,  with  a  low,  gleeful 
laugh,  as  he  held  her  close  to  his  heart.  "But 
he  says  you  accepted  him  on  condition  that  papa 
would  give  consent,  that  you  owned  you  cared 
for  him." 

"  And  so  I  do,  papa;  I've  always  loved  him  as 
if  he  were  my  brother;  and  I'm  so  sorry  for  all 
he  suffers,  that  I  would  do  anything  I  could  to 
make  him  happy." 

"Even  to  sacrificing  yourself?  It  is  well  in- 
deed for  you  that  you  have  a  father  to  take  care 
of  you."  ' 

"Are  you  going  to  say  'No'  to  him,  papa?" 
she  asked,  looking  up  half  beseechingly. 

a  Indeed  I  am." 

"  Ah,  papa,  he  said  it  would  kill  him  if  yoo 
did." 

"  I  don't  believe  it;  people  don't  die  so  easily. 
And  I  have  several  reasons  for  my  refusal,  each 
one  of  which  would  be  quite  sufficient  of  itself. 
But  you  just  acknowledged  to  me  that  you  don't 


126  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

love  him  at  all  as  you  ought.  Why,  my  child, 
when  you  meet  the  right  person  you  will  find  that 
your  love  for  him  is  far  greater  than  what  you 
feel  for  me." 

"  Papa,  I  don't  think  that  could  be  possible," 
she  said,  clinging  closer  to  him  than  before. 

"  But  you'll  be  convinced  when  the  time  conies, 
though  I  hope  that  will  not  be  for  many  a  long 
year  yet.  Then  Herbert's  ill  health  and  lame- 
ness are  two  insuperable  objections.  Lastly,  you 
are  both  entirely  too  young  to  be  thinking  of 
such  matters." 

"  He  didn't  mean  to  ask  you  to  give  me  to  him 
now,  papa;  not  for  a  year  or  two  at  the  very 
least." 

"  But  I  won't  have  you  engaging  yourself  while 
you  are  such  a  mere  child.  I  don't  approve  of 
long  engagements,  or  intend  to  let  you  marry 
for  six  or  seven  years  to  come.  So  you  may  as 
well  dismiss  all  thoughts  on  the  subject;  and  if 
any  other  boy  or  man  attempts  to  talk  to  you  as 
Herbert  has,  just  tell  him  that  your  father  ut- 
terly forbids  you  to  listen  to  anything  of  the 
kind.  What!  crying!  I  hope  these  are  not  re- 
bellious tears?" 

"  No,  papa;  please  don't  be  angry.  It  is  only 
that  I  feel  so  sorry  for  poor  Herbert;  he  suffers 
so,  and  is  so  patient  and  good." 

"I  am  sorry  for  him  too,  but  it  cannot  be 
•helped.  I  must  take  care  of  you  first,  and  not 
allow  anything  which  I  think  will  interfere  \riths 
your  happiness  or  well  being." 

"  Papa,  he  wants  to  correspond  with  me." 

"lehall  not  allow  i*-" 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  127 

**  May  we  see  each  other  often?  " 

"  No;  not  at  all  for  some  time.  He  must  get 
fcver  this  foolish  fancy  first,  it  cannot  be  anything 
more;  and  there  is  great  danger  that  he  will  not 
unless  you  are  kept  entirely  apart." 

Elsie  sighed  softly,  but  said  not  a  word.  There 
was  no  appeal  from  her  father's  decisions,  no  ar- 
gument or  entreaty  allowed  after  they  were  once 
announced. 

Little  feet  were  heard  running  down  the  hall; 
then  there  was  the  sound  of  a  tiny  fist  thumping 
en  the  door,  and  the  voice  of  little  Horace  call- 
ing, "  Elsie,  Elsie,  turn  out!  me  wants  to  see  you!  " 

"  There,  you  may  go  now,"  her  father  said,  re- 
leasing her  with  a  kiss,  "  and  leave  me  to  write 
that  note.  Well,  what  is  it?"  for  she  lingered, 
looking  up  wistfully  into  his  face. 

"  Dear  papa,  be  kind  to  him  for  my  sake,"  she 
murmured  softly,  putting  her  arm  about  his  neck 
again.  "He  is  such  a  sufferer,  so  patient  and: 
good,  and  it  quite  makes  my  heart  ache  to  think 
how  grievously  your  refusal  will  pain  him." 

"My  own  sweet  child!  always  unselfish,  always 
concerned  for  the  happiness  of  others,"  thought 
the  father  as  he  looked  down  into  the  pleading 
face;  but  he  only  stroked  her  hair,  and  kissed 
her  more  tenderly  than  before,  saying,  "  I  shall 
try  to  be  as  kind  as  circumstances  will  allow, 
daughter.  You  shall  read  the  letter  when  it  is 
done,  and  if  you  think  it  is  not  kind  enough  it 
shall  not  be  sent." 

She  thanked  him  with  a  very  grateful  look, 
then  hurried  away,  for  the  tiny  fists  were  re- 
doubling their  blows  upon  the  door,  while  the 


128  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

baby  voice  called  more  and  more  clamorously  for 
^sister  Elsie." 

She  stooped  to  hug  and  kiss  the  little  fellow, 
then  was  led  off  in  triumph  to  "  mamma,"  whose 
greeting,  though  less  noisy,  was  quite  as  joyous 
and  affectionate. 

u  Oh,  how  nice  it  is  to  get  home!  "  cried  Elsie, 
and  wondered  within  herself  how  she  had  been 
contented  to  stay  away  so  long.  She  had  hardly 
finished  giving  Rose  an  animated  account  of  her 
•visit,  including  a  minute  description  of  the  birth- 
day party,  when  her  father's  voice  summoned 
her  to  the  study  again. 

"  Does  it  satisfy  you?  "  he  asked  when  she  had 
read  the  note. 

"Yes,  papa;  I  think  it  is  as  kind  as  a  refusal 
could  possibly  be  made." 

"  Then  I  shall  send  it  at  once.  And  now  this 
settles  the  matter,  and  I  bid  you  put  the  whole 
affair  out  of  your  mind  as  completely  as  possible, 
Elsie." 

"  I  shall  try,  papa,"  she  answered  in  a  submis- 
sive and  even  cherful  tone. 

That  note,  kindly  worded  though  it  was,  caused 
great  distress  to  Herbert  Carrington.  He  passed 
an  almost  sleepless  night,  and  the  next  morn- 
ing, finding  himself  quite  unable  to  rise  from  his 
couch,  he  sent  an  urgent  entreaty  that  Mr.  Dins- 
more  would  call  at  Ashlands  at  his  earliest  con- 
venience. 

His  request  was  granted  at  once,  and  the  lad 
pleaded  with  all  the  eloquence  of  which  he  was 
master  for  a  more  favorable  reception  of  his 
euit. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  129 

Had  he  been  as  well  acquainted  with  Horace 
Dinsmore's  character  as  Elsie  was.  he  would  have 
known  the  utter  uselessness  of  such  a  proceeding. 
He  received  a  patient  hearing,  then  a  firm,  though 
kind  denial.  Elsie  was  entirely  too  young  to  be 
allowed  even  to  think  of  love  or  matrimony,  her 
father  said;  he  was  extremely  sorry  the  subject 
had  been  broached  to  her;  it  must  not  be  again, 
for  years.  He  would  not  permit  any  engagement, 
correspondence,  or,  for  the  present  at  least,  any 
exchange  of  visits;  because  he  wished  the  matter 
to  be  dropped  entirely,  and,  if  possible,  forgotten. 
Nor  would  he  hold  out  the  slightest  hope  for  the 
future;  answering  Herbert's  petition  for  that  by 
a  gentle  hint  that  one  in  his  ill  health  should  be 
content  to  remain  single. 

"  Yes,  you  are  right,  Mr.  Dinsmore,  and  I  don't 
blame  you  for  refusing  to  give  me  your  lovely 
daughter;  I'm  entirely  unworthy  of  such  a  treas- 
ure," said  the  poor  boy  in  a  broken  voice. 

"Not  in  character,  my  dear  boy,"  said  Mr. 
Dinsmore,  almost  tenderly;  "  in  that  you  are  all 
I  could  ask  or  desire,  and  it  is  all  that  you  are 
responsible  for.  And  now  while  she  is  such  a 
mere  child,  I  should  reject  any  other  suitor  for 
her  hand,  quite  as  decidedly  as  I  do  you." 

"You  don't  blame  me  for  loving  her?" 

"No;  oh,  no!" 

"I  can't  help  it.  I've  loved  her  ever  since  I 
first  saw  her,  and  that  was  before  I  was  five  years 
old." 

"  Well,  I  don't  object  to  a  brotherly  affectioa, 
and  when  you  can  tone  it  down  to  that,  shall  not 
forbid  occasional  intercourse.  And  now,  witli 


ISO  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

the  best  wishes  for  your  health  and  happiness,  I 
must  bid  you  good-bye." 

"  Good-bye,  sir;  and  thank  you  for  your  kind- 
ness in  coming,"  the  boy  answered  with  a  quiver- 
ing lip.  Then,  turning  to  his  mother,  as  Mr. 
Dinsmore  left  the  room,  "  I  shall  never  get  over 
it,"  he  said.  "  I  shall  not  live  long,  and  I  don't 
want  to;  life  without  her  isn't  worth  having." 

Her  heart  ached  for  him,  but  she  answered 
cheerily:  "  Why,  my  dear  child,  don't  be  so  de- 
spondent; I  think  you  may  take  hope  and  courage 
from  some  things  that  Mr.  Dinsmore  said.  It  is 
quite  in  your  favor  that  he  will  not  allow  Elsie 
to  receive  proposals  from  any  one  at  present,  for 
who  knows  but  by  the  time  he  considers  her  old 
enough,  you  may  be  well  and  strong." 

Mrs.  Carrington's  words  had  a  very  different 
effect  from  what  she  intended.  The  next  time 
Herbert  saw  his  physician,  he  insisted  so  strongly 
on  knowing  exactly  what  he  might  look  forward 
to  that  there  was  no  evading  the  demand;  and  on 
learning  that  he  was  hopelessly  crippled  for  life, 
he  sank  into  a  state  of  utter  despondency,  and 
from  that  moment  grew  rapidly  worse,  failing 
visibly  day  by  day. 

Elsie,  dutifully  abstaining  from  holding  any 
communication  with  Ashlands,  and  giving  all  her 
thoughts  as  far  as  possible  to  home  duties  and 
pleasures  knew  nothing  of  it  till  one  day  Enna 
came  in,  asking,  "  Have  you  heard  the  news?  " 

"  No,"  said  Elsie,  pausing  in  a  game  of  romps 
with  her  little  brother;  "what  is  it?" 

"It!  You  should  rather  say  they.  There's 
more  than  one  item  of  importance."  And  Ennai 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  131 

straightened  herself  and  smoothed  out  her  dress 
with  a  very  consequential  air.  "  In  the  first  place 
Arthur  has  been  found  out  in  his  evil  courses; 
he's  been  betting  and  gambling  till  he's  got  him- 
self over  head  and  ears  in  debt.  Papa  was  so 
angry,  I  almost  thought  he  would  kill  him.  But 
he  seemed  to  cool  down  after  he'd  paid  off  the 
debts;  and  Arthur  is,  or  pretends  to  be,  very  peni- 
tent, promises  never  to  do  the  like  again,  and  so 
he's  got  forgiven,  and  he  and  Walter  are  to  start 
for  college  early  next  week.  They've  both  gone 
to  the  city  to-day  with  papa.  Arthur  seems  to  be 
mad  at  you;  he  says  that  you  could  have  saved 
him  from  being  found  out,  but  didn't  choose  to, 
and  some  day  he'll  have  his  revenge.  Now,  what 
was  it  you  did,  or  didn't  do?" 

"He  wanted  money,  and  I  refused  to  lend  it 
because  papa  had  forbidden  me." 

"  You're  good  at  minding,  and  always  were," 
was  Enna's  sneering  comment.  "No,  111  take 
'that  back;  I  forgot  that  time  when  you  nearly  died 
rather  than  mind." 

An  indignant  flush  suffused  Elsie's  fair  face  for 
an  instant;  but  the  sneer  was  borne  in  utter  si- 
lence. Rose  entered  the  room  at  that  moment, 
and,  having  returned  her  greeting,  Enna  pro- 
ceeded to  give  another  important  bit  of  news. 

"Herbert  Carrington  is  very  ill;  not  confined 
to  his  bed,  but  failing  very  fast.  The  doctors  ad- 
vised them  to  take  him  from  home;  because  they 
said  they  thought  he  had  something  on  his  mind, 
and  taking  him  into  new  scenes  might  help  him 
to  forget  it.  They  think  he's  not  likely  to  live 
long  anyhow,  but  that  is  the  last  hope.  His 


J32  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

mother  and  Lucy  started  North  with  him  this 
morning." 

Elsie  suddenly  dropped  the  ball  she  was  tossing 
for  Horace  and  ran  out  of  the  room. 

"  Why,  what  did  she  do  that  for?  "  asked  Enna, 
in  a  tone  of  surprise,  turning  to  Rose  for  an  ex- 
planation. "  Is  she  in  iove  with  him,,  do  you 
suppose?" 

"  No,  I  know  she  is  not;  but  I  think  she  lias  a 
strong  sisterly  regard  for  him,  and  I  am  sorry  the 
news  of  his  increased  illness  was  told  her  so 
abruptly." 

"  Such  a  baby,  as  she  always  was,"  muttered 
Enna,  "  crying  her  eyes  out  about  the  least  little 
thing." 

"If  she  lacks  sufficient  control  over  her  feel- 
ings it  is  almost  the  only  fault  she  has,"  replied 
Rose  warmly.  "And  I  think,  Enna,  you  are 
hardly  capable  of  appreciating  her  delicately 
sensitive  nature,  and  warm,  loving  heart,  else 
you  would  not  wound  her  as  you  do.  She  cer- 
tainly controls  her  temper  well,  and  puts  up  with 
more  from  you  than  I  should." 

"Pray,  what  do  you  mean,  Mrs.  Dinsmore? 
what  have  I  done  to  your  pet?  "  asked  the  young 
lady  angrily. 

"  She  is  older  than  you,  yet  you  treat  her  as  if 
she  were  much  younger.  Your  manner  toward 
her  is  often  very  contemptuous,  and  I  have  fre- 
quently heard  you  sneer  at  her  principles  and 
taunt  her  with  her  willing  subjection  to  her 
father's  strict  rule;  for  which  she  deserves  noth- 
ing but  the  highest  praise." 

"Nobody  could  ever  rule  me  the  way  Horace 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  133 

does  her! "  cried  Enna,  with  a  toss  of  her  head. 
"  And  as  to  her  being  older  than  I  am,  I'm  sure 
no  one  would  think  it;  she  is  so  absurdly  childish 
in  her  way;  not  half  so  mature  as  I,  mamma  says." 

"I'm  glad  and  thankful  that  she  is  not,"  an- 
swered Eose,  with  spirit;  "  her  sweet  childish 
simplicity  and  perfect  naturalness  are  very  charm- 
ing in  these  days,  when  they  are  so  rarely  found 
in  a  girl  who  has  entered  her  teens." 

Little  Horace,  standing  by  the  window,  ut- 
tered a  joyous  shout,  "  Oh,  papa  tumin'! "  and 
rushed  from  the  room  to  return  the  next  moment 
clinging  to  his  father's  hand,  announcing  as  they 
came  in  together,  "  Here  papa  is;  me  found  him!  " 

Mr.  Dinsmore  shook  hands  with  his  sister,  ad- 
dressed a  remark  to  his  wife,  then,  glancing  about 
the  room,  asked,  "  Where  is  Elsie  ?  " 

"  She  left  us  a  moment  since,  but  did  not  say 
where  she  was  going,"  said  Eose. 

"  I  presume  you'll  find  her  crying  in  her  bou- 
doir or  dressing  room,"  added  Enna. 

"  Crying!     Why,  what  is  wrong  with  her?  " 

"  Nothing  that  I  know  of,  except  that  I  told 
her  of  Herbert  Carrington's  being  so  much 
worse  that  they've  taken  him  North  as  a  last 
hope." 

"  Is  that  so?  "  and  Mr.  Dinsmore  looked  much 
concerned. 

"Yes,  there  can  be  no  doubt  about  it,  for  T 
heard  it  from  Harry  himself  this  morning." 

Mr.  Dinsmore  rose,  and,  putting  his  little  son 
gently  aside,  left  the  room. 

Elsie  was  not  in  her  own  apartments;  he  passed 
through  the  whole  suite,  looking  for  her;  tnen, 


134  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

going  on  into  the  grounds,  found  her  at  last  in 
her  favorite  arbor.  She  was  crying  bitterly,  but 
at  the  sound  of  his  step  checked  her  sobs,  and 
hastily  wiped  away  her  tears.  She  thought  he 
would  reprove  her  for  indulging  her  grief,  but 
instead  he  took  her  in  his  arms  and  soothed  her 
tenderly. 

"  Oh,  papa,"  she  sobbed,  "  I  feel  as  if  I  had 
done  it — as  if  I  had  killed  him." 

"  Darling,  he  is  not  past  hope;  he  may  recover, 
and  in  any  event  not  the  slightest  blame  belongs 
to  you.  I  have  taken  the  whole  responsibility 
upon  my  shoulders." 

She  gave  him  a  somewhat  relieved  and  very 
grateful  look,  and  he  went  on:  "  And  even  if  I 
had  allowed  you  to  decide  the  matter  for  yourself, 
you  would  have  done  what  was  your  duty  in  re- 
fusing to  promise  to  belong  to  one  whom  you 
love  less  than  you  love  your  father." 

Some  months  later  there  came  news  of  Her- 
bert's death.  Elsie's  grief  was  deep  and  lasting. 
She  sorrowed  as  she  might  have  done  for  the  loss 
of  a  very  dear  brother;  while  added  to  that  was  a 
half-remorseful  feeling  which  reason  could  not 
control  or  entirely  relieve;  and  it  was  long  ere  she 
was  quite  her  own  bright,  gladsome  sunny  self 
again. 


CHAPTER  XL 

The  bloom  of  opening  flowers'  unsullied  beauty- 
Softness  and  sweetest  innocence  she  wears, 
And  looks  like  nature  in  the  world's  first  spring. 

— ROWE'S   "TAMERLANE.* 

"WHAT  a  very  peculiar  hand,  papa;  so  stiff 
and  cramped  and  old-fashioned,"  Elsie  remarked, 
as  her  father  laid  down  a  letter  he  had  just  been 
reading. 

"  Yes.  Did  you  ever  hear  me  speak  of  Aunt 
Wealthy  Stanhope?  " 

His  glance  seemed  to  direct  the  question  to 
Rose,  who  answered,  with  a  look  of  surprise  and 
curiosity,  "  No,  sir.  Who  is  she?  " 

"A  half-sister  of  my  own  mother.  She  was 
the  daughter  of  my  maternal  grandfather  by  Ms 
first  wife,  my  mother  was  the  child  of  the  second, 
and  there  were  some  five  or  ten  years  between 
them.  Aunt  Wealthy  never  married,  would 
never  live  with  any  of  her  relatives,  but  has  al- 
ways kept  up  a  cosey  little  establishment  of  her 
own." 

"Do  you  know  her,  papa?"  asked  Elsie,  who 
was  listening  with  eager  interest. 

"  I  can  hardly  say  that  I  do.  I  saw  her  once, 
nearly  eighteen  years  ago,  about  the  time  you 
were  born — but  I  was  not  capable  of  appreciating 
her  then;  indeed,  was  so  unhappy  and  irritable  as 
to  be  hardly  in  a  condition  to  either  make  or  re- 


136  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

ceive  favorable  impressions.  I  now  believe  her  to 
be  a  truly  good  and  noble  little  woman,  though 
decidedly  an  oddity  in  some  respects.  Then  I 
called  her  a  fidgety,  fussy  old  maid." 

"And  your  letter  is  from  her?"  Eose  said  in- 
quiringly. 

"  Yes;  she  wants  me  to  pay  her  a  visit,  taking 
Elsie  with  me,  and  leaving  her  there  for  the 
summer." 

"There,  papa!  where?" 

"  Lansdale,  Ohio.     Should  you  like  to  go? ' 

"  Yes,  I  think  I  should  like  to  go,  papa,  if  you 
take  me;  but  whether  I  should  like  to  stay  all 
summer  I  could  hardly  tell-  till  I  get  there." 

"You  may  read  the  letter,"  he  said,  handing 
it  to  her. 

"  It  sounds  as  though  it  might  be  very  pleasant, 
papa,"  she  said,  as  she  laid  it  down  after  an  at- 
tentive perusal. 

It  spoke  of  Lansdale  as  a  pretty,  healthful 
village,  surrounded  by  beautiful  scenery,  and 
boasting  of  some  excellent  society:  of  two  lively 
young  girls,  living  in  the  next  house  to  her  own, 
who  would  be  charming  companions  for  Elsie, 
etc. 

"  Your  remark  that  your  aunt  was  an  oddity  in 
some  respects  has  excited  my  curiosity,"  said 
Eose. 

"  Ah!  and  I  am  to  understand  that  you  would 
like  me  to  gratify  it,  eh?  "  returned  her  husband, 
smiling.  "  Her  dress  and  the  arrangement  of 
her  hair  are  in  a  style  peculiarly  her  own  (unless 
she  has  become  more  fashionable  since  I  saw  her, 
which  is  not  likely);  and  she  has  an  odd  way  of 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  137 

transposing  her  sentences  and  the  names  of  those 
she  addresses  or  introduces,  or  calling  them  by; 
some  other  name  suggested  by  some  association 
with  the  real  one.  Miss  Bell,  for  instance,  she 
would  probably  call  Miss  Ring;  Mr.  Foot,  Mr. 
Shoe,  and  so  on." 

"Does  she  do  so  intentionally,  papa?"  Elsie 
asked. 

"  No,  not  at  all;  her  mistakes  are  quite  inno- 
cently made,  and  are  therefore  very  amusing." 

Mrs.  Horace  Dinsmore's  parents  had  been  urg- 
ing her  to  visit  them,  and  after  some  further  con- 
sideration it  was  decided  that  the  whole  family 
should  go  North  for  the  summer,  Mr.  Dinsmore 
see  his  wife  and  little  son  safe  at  her  father's, 
then  take  Elsie  on  to  visit  his  aunt;  the  length  of 
the  visit  to  be  determined  after  their  arrival. 

It  was  a  lovely  morning  early  in  May;  the  air 
was  vocal  with  the  songs  of  birds  and  redolent 
with  the  breath  of  flowers  all  bathed  in  dew;  deli- 
cate wreaths  of  snowy  vapor  rose  slowly  from  the 
rippling  surface  of  the  river  that  threaded  its 
way  through  the  valley,  and  folded  themselves 
about  the  richly-wooded  hill-sides,  behind  which 
bright  streaks  of  golden  light  were  shooting  up- 
ward, fair  heralds  of  the  coming  of  the  king  of 
day.  On  the  outskirts  of  the  pretty  village  of 
Lansdale,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  well-kept  garden 
and  lawn,  stood  a  tasteful  dwelling,  of  Gothic 
architecture.  Roses,  honeysuckle,  and  Virginia 
creeper  clambered  over  its  walls,  twined  them- 
selves about  the  pillars  of  its  porticos  and 
porches,  or  hung  in  graceful  festoons  from  its 


138  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

many  gables;  the  garden  was  gay  with  sweet 
spring  flowers;  the  trees,  the  grass  on  the  lawn, 
and  the  hedge  that  separated  it  from  the  road,  all 
were  liveried  in  that  vivid  green  so  refreshing  to 
the  eye. 

"Phillis!  Simon!'  called  a  sweet-toned  voice 
from  the  foot  of  the  back  staircase;  "  are  you  up? 
It's  high  time;  nearly  five  o'clock  now,  and  the 
train's  due  at  six." 

"  Coming,  ma'am.  I'll  have  time  to  do  up  all 
my  chores  and  git  to  the  depot  'fore  de  train;  you 
neber  fear,"  replied  a  colored  lad  of  fifteen  or 
sixteen,  hurrying  down  as  he  spoke. 

A  matronly  woman,  belonging  to  the  same  race, 
followed  close  in  his  rear. 

"You're  smart  dis  mornin',  missis,"  she  said, 
speaking  from  the  middle  of  the  stairway.  "  I 
didn't  'spect  you'd  git  ahead  o'  me,  and  de  sun 
hardly  showin'  his  face  'bove  de  hill-tops  yit." 

"  I  woke  early,  Phillis,  as  I  always  do  when 
something's  going  to  happen  that  I  expect.  Si- 
mon make  haste  to  feed  and  water  your  horses 
and  be  sure  you  have  old  Joan  in  the  carriage 
and  at  the  gate  by  a  quarter  before  six/* 

"Am  I  to  drive  her  to  the  depot,  ma'am?" 

"  No,  Miss  Lottie  Prince  will  do  that,  and  you 
are  to  take  the  one-horse  wagon  for  the  trunks. 
Did  you  go  to  Mr.  Laugh's  and  engage  it,  as  I 
told  you  yesterday?" 

"  I  went  to  Mr.  Grinn's  and  disengaged  de  one- 
horse  wagon,  ma'am;  yes'm." 

"Very  well.  Now  come  into  the  sitting  room 
and  I'll  show  you  the  likenesses  of  the  lady  and 
gentleman,  and  the  old  colored  woman  they're 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  139 

going  to  bring  with  them,"  replied  the  mistress, 
leading  the  way  into  an  apartment  that,  spite  of 
its  plain,  old-fashioned  furniture,  wore  a  very  at- 
tractive appearance,  it  was  so  exquisitely  neat; 
and  the  windows,  reaching  to  the  floor,  opened 
upon  one  side  into  conservatory  and  garden,  on 
the  other  upon  a  porch  that  ran  the  whole  length 
of  the  front  of  the  house.  Taking  a  photograph 
album  from  a  side-table,  she  showed  the  three 
pictures  to  Simon,  who  pronounced  the  gentle- 
man very  handsome,  the  lady  the  prettiest  he 
ever  saw,  and  was  sure  he  should  recognize  both 
them  and  their  servant. 

"  Now,  Phillis,  we'll  have  to  bestir  ourselves," 
said  Miss  Stanhope,  returning  to  the  kitchen. 
"  Do  you  think  you  can  get  breakfast  in  less  than 
an  hour?  such  a  breakfast  as  we  should  have  this 
morning — one  fit  for  a  king." 

"Yes,  Miss  Wealthy;  but  you  don't  want  it 
that  soon,  do  you?  Folks  is  apt  to  like  to  wash 
and  dress  'fore  breakfast." 

"  Ah,  yes!  sure  enough.  Well,  we'll  give  them 
half  an  hour." 

A  few  moments  later,  as  Miss  Stanhope  was 
busy  with  broom  and  duster  in  the  front  part  of 
the  house,  a  young  girl  opened  the  gate,  tripped 
gayly  up  the  gravel  walk  that  led  from  it  across 
the  lawn,  and  stepped  upon  the  porch.  She  was 
a  brunette  with  a  very  rich  color  in  her  dark 
cheek,  raven  hair,  and  sparkling,  roguish  black 
eyes.  She  wore  a  suit  of  plain  brown  linen,  with 
snowy  cuffs  and  collar,  and  a  little  straw  hat. 
"  Good-morning,  Aunt  Yfealthy!  "  she  cried,  in  a 
lively  tone.  "  You  see  I'm  in  good  time.v 


140  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  Yes,  Lottie,  and  looking  as  neat  as  a  pin,  too. 
It's  very  kind  in  you,  because  of  course  I  want  to 
be  here  to  receive  them  as  they  come,  to  offer  to 
introduce  yourself  and  drive  down  to  the  depot 
for  them." 

"  Of  course  I'm  wonderfully  clever,  consider- 
ing that  I  don't  at  all  enjoy  a  drive  in  this  sweet 
morning  air,  and  aint  in  a  bit  of  a  hurry  to  see 
your  beautiful  young  heiress  and  her  papa.  Net 
wonders  at  my  audacity  in  venturing  to  face  them 
alone;  but  I  tell  her  I'm  too  staunch  a  republican 
to  quail  before  any  amount  of  wealth  or  conse- 
quence, and  if  Mr.  and  Miss  Dinsmore  see  fit  to 
turn  up  their  aristocratic  noses  at  me,  why — I'll 
just  return  the  compliment." 

"  I  hope  they're  not  of  that  sort,  Lottie;  but  if 
they  are,  you  will  serve  them  right." 

"  She  does  not  look  like  it,"  observed  the  young 
girl,  taking  the  album  from  the  table  and  gaz- 
ing earnestly  upon  Elsie's  lovely  countenance. 
"  What  a  sweet,  gentle,  lovable  face  it  is !  I'm 
sure  I  shall  dote  on  her;  and  if  I  can  only  per- 
suade her  to  return  my  penchant,  won't  we  have 
grand  good  times  while  she's  here?  But  there's 
Simon  with  old  Joan  and  the  carriage.  He'll 
hunt  them  up  for  me  at  the  depot;  won't  he, 
Aunt  Wealthy?  " 

"  Yes,  I  told  him  to." 

The  shrill  whistle  of  the  locomotive  echoed  and 
re-echoed  among  the  hills. 

"  Lansdale! "  shouted  the  conductor,  throw- 
ing open  the  car  door. 

"So  we  are  at  our  destination  at  last,  and  I 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  141 

am  very  glad  for  your  sake,  daughter,  for  you  are 
looking  weary/'  said  Mr.  Dinsmore,  drawing 
Elsie's  shawl  more  closely  about  her  shoulders. 

"Oh,  I'm  not  so  very  tired,  papa,"  she  an- 
swered, with  a  loving  look  and  smile,  "  not  more 
so  than  you  are,  I  presume.  Oh,  see!  papa,  what 
a  pretty  girl  in  that  carriage  there! " 

"  Yes,  yes !  Come  to  meet  some  friend, 
doubtless.  Come,  the  train  has  stopped;  keep 
close  to  me,"  he  said.  "  Aunt  Chloe,  see  that  you 
have  all  the  parcels." 

"Dis  de  gentleman  and  lady  from  de  South, 
what  Miss  Stanhope's  'spectin'  ?  "  asked  a  colored 
lad,  stepping  up  to  our  little  party  as  they 
alighted. 

"Yes." 

"  Dis  way  den,  sail,  if  you  please,  sah.  Here's 
de  carriage.  De  lady  will  drive  you  up  to  de 
house,  and  I'll  take  your  luggage  in  de  little 
wagon." 

"  Very  well;  here  are  the  checks.  You  will 
bring  it  up  at  once?  " 

"  Yes,  sah,  have  it  dar  soon  as  yourself,  sail. 
Dis  cullad  person  better  ride  wid  me  and  de 
trunks." 

They  were  nearing  the  carriage  and  the  pretty 
girl  Elsie  had  noticed  from  the  car  window. 
"  Good-morning!  Mr.  and  Miss  Dinsmore,  I  pre- 
sume?" she  said  with  a  bow  and  smile.  "Will 
you  get  in?  Let  me  give  you  a  hand,  Miss  Dins- 
more.  I  am  Lottie  King,  a  distant  relative  and 
near  neighbor  of  your  aunt,  Miss  Stanhope." 

"And  have  kindly  driven  down  for  us.  We 
are  much  obliged,  Miss  King,"  Mr.  Dinsmore  an- 


142  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

swered,  as  he  followed  his  daughter  into  the 
vehicle.  "  Shall  I  not  relieve  you  of  the  reins  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no,  thank  you;  I'm  used  to  driving,  and 
fond  of  it.  And,  besides,  you  don't  know  the 
way." 

"  True.     How  is  my  aunt?  " 

"Quite  well.  She  has  been  looking  forward 
with  great  delight  to  this  visit,  as  have  my  sister 
Nettie  and  I  also,"  Lottie  answered,  with  a  back- 
ward glance  of  admiring  curiosity  at  Elsie.  "  I 
hope  you  will  be  pleased  with  Lansdale,  Miss 
Dinsmore;  sufficiently  so  to  decide  to  stay  all 
summer." 

"  Thank  you;  I  think  it  is  looking  lovely  this 
morning.  Does  my  aunt  live  far  from  the 
depot?" 

"Not  very;  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile." 

"  Oh,  what  a  pretty  place,  and  what  a  quaint- 
looking  little  old  lady  on  its  porch! "  Elsie  pres- 
ently cried  out.  "  See,  papa!  " 

"Yes,  that's  Aunt  Wealthy,  and  doesn't  she 
make  a  picture  standing  there  under  the  vines  in 
her  odd  dress?"  said  Miss  King,  driving  up  to 
the  gate.  "  She's  the  very  oddest,  and  the  very 
dearest  and  sweetest  little  old  lady  in  the  world." 

Elsie  listened  and  looked  again;  this  time  with 
eager  interest  and  curiosity. 

Certainly,  Aunt  Wealthy  was  no  slave  to 
fashion.  The  tyrannical  dame  at  that  time  pre- 
scribed gaiter  boots,  a  plain  pointed  waist  and 
straight  skirt,  worn  very  long  and  full.  Miss 
Stanhope  wore  a  full  waist  made  with  a  yoke  and 
belt,  a  gored  skirt,  extremely  scant,  and  so  short 
as  to  afford  a  very  distinct  view  of  a  well-turned 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  143 

ankle  and  small,  shapely  foot  encased  in  snowy 
stocking  and  low-heeled  black  kid  slipper.  The 
material  of  her  dress  was  chintz — white  ground 
with  a  tiny  hrown  figure — finished  at  the  neck 
with  a  wide  white  ruffle;  she  had  black  silk  mittf 
on  her  hands,  and  her  hair,  which  was  very  gray 
was  worn  in  a  little  knot  almost  on  the  top  or 
her  head,  and  one  thick,  short  curl,  held  in  place 
by  a  puff-comb,  on  each  side  of  her  face. 

At  sight  of  the  carriage  and  its  occupants,  she 
came  hurrying  down  the  gravel  walk,  meeting 
them  as  they  entered  the  gate.  She  took  Mr. 
Dinsmore's  hand,  saying,  "  I  am  glad  to  see  you, 
nephew  Horace,"  and  held  up  her  face  for  a  kiss. 
Then  turning  to  Elsie,  gave  her  a  very  warm  em- 
brace. "  So,  dear,  you've  come  to  see  your  old 
auntie?  That's  right.  Come  into  the  house." 

Elsie  was  charmed  with  her  and  with  all  she 
saw;  all  without  was  so  fresh  and  bright,  every- 
thing within  so  exquisitely  neat  and  clean.  The 
furniture  of  the  whole  house  was  very  plain  and 
old-fashioned,  but  Miss  Stanhope  never  thought 
of  apologizing  for  what  to  her  wore  the  double 
charm  of  ownership,  and  of  association  with  the 
happy  days  of  childhood  and  youth,  and  loved 
ones  gone.  Nor  did  her  guests  deem  anything  of 
the  kind  called  for  in  the  very  least;  house  and 
mistress  seemed  well  suited  the  one  to  the  other; 
and  Elsie  thought  it  not  unpleasant  to  exchange, 
for  a  time,  the  luxurious  furnishing  of  her  home 
apartments  for  the  simple  adornments  of  the  one 
assigned  her  here.  The  snowy  drapery  of  its  bed 
and  toilet-table,  its  wide-open  casements  giving 
glimpses  of  garden,  lawn,  and  shrubbery,  and  the 


144  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

beautiful  hills  beyond,  looked  very  inviting. 
There  were  vases  of  fresh  flowers  too,  on  mantel 
and  bureau,  and  green  vines  peeping  in  at  the 
windows.  It  seemed  a  haven  of  rest  after  the 
long,  fatiguing  journey. 

"  The  child  is  sweet  and  fair  to  look  upon, 
Horace,  but  I  see  nothing  of  you  or  my  sister  in 
her  face,"  observed  Miss  Stanhope,  as  her  nephew 
entered  the  breakfast-room,  preceding  his  daugh- 
ter by  a  moment  or  two.  "  Whom  does  she  re- 
semble? " 

"  Elsie  is  almost  the  exact  counterpart  of  her 
own  mother,  Aunt  Wealthy,  and  looks  like  no  one 
else,"  he  answered,  with  a  glance  of  proud 
fatherly  affection  at  the  young  creature  as  she 
entered  and  took  her  place  at  the  table. 

"  Now  my  daughter,"  he  said,  at  the  conclusion 
of  the  meal,  "  you  must  go  and  lie  down  until 
near  dinner-time,  if  possible." 

"  Yes,  that  is  excellent  advice,"  said  Miss  Stan- 
hope. "  I  see,  and  I'm  glad,  she's  worth  taking 
care  of,  as  you  are  sensible,  Horace.  You  shall 
be  called  in  season,  dear.  So  take  a  good  nap." 

Elsie  obeyed,  retired  to  her  room,  slept  several 
horus,  and  woke  feeling  greatly  refreshed.  Chloe 
was  in  waiting  to  dress  her  for  dinner. 

"Had  you  a  nap  too,  my  poor  old  mammy?" 
asked  her  young  mistress. 

"Yes,  darlin',  I've  been  lying  on  that  couch, 
and  feel  good  as  ever  now.  Hark!  what  dat?" 

"  It  sounds  like  a  dog  in  distress,"  said  Elsie,  as 
they  both  ran  to  the  window  and  looked  out. 

A  fat  poodle  had  nearly  forced  his  plump 
body  between  the  palings  of  the  front  gate  in  the 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD  145 

effort  to  get  into  the  street,  and  sticking  fast,  was 
yelping  in  distress.  As  they  looked  Miss  Stan- 
hope ran  quickly  down  the  path,  seized  him  by 
the  tail,  and  jerked  him  back,  he  uttering  a  louder 
yelp  than  before. 

"  There,  Albert/'  she  said,  stroking  and  patting 
him,  "  I  don't  like  to  hurt  you,  but  how  was  I  to 
get  you  out,  or  in?  You  must  be  taught  that 
you're  to  stay  at  home,  sir.  Thomas!  Thomas! 
come  home,  Thomas!  "  she  called;  and  a  large  cat 
came  running  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  street. 

"  So  those  are  Aunt  Wealthy's  pets.  What  an 
odd  name  for  a  cat,"  said  Elsie,  laughing. 

"  Yes,  Miss  Elsie,  dey's  pets,  sure  nuff :  Phillis 
says  Miss  Wealthy's  mighty  good  t'em." 

"  There,  she  is  coming  in  with  them,  and, 
mammy,  we  must  make  haste.  I'm  afraid  it's 
near  dinner-time,"  said  Elsie,  turning  away  from 
the  window. 

Her  toilet  was  just  completed  when  there  was 
a  slight  tap  on  the  door,  and  her  father's  voice 
asked  if  she  was  ready  to  go  down. 

"  Yes,  papa,"  she  answered,  hurrying  to  him  as 
Chloe  opened  the  door. 

"  Ah,  you  are  looking  something  like  yourself 
again,"  he  said,  with  a  pleasant  smile,  as  he  drew 
her  hand  within  his  arm,  and  led  her  down  the 
stairs.  "  You  have  had  a  good  sleep?  " 

"  A  delicious  rest.  I  must  have  slept  at  least 
four  hours.  And  you,  papa?" 

"I  took  a  nap  of  about  the  same  length,  and 
feel  ready  for  almost  anything  in  the  shape  of 
dinner,  etc.  And  there  is  the  bell." 

Miss  Stanhope  cast  many  an  admiring  glance 


146  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

at  nephew  and  niece  during  the  progress  of  the 
meal. 

"I'm  thinking,  Horace,"  she  said  at  length, 
"  that  it's  a  great  shame  I've  been  left  so  many 
years  a  stranger  to  you  both." 

"  I'm  afraid  it  is,  Aunt  Wealthy;  but  the  great 
distance  that  lies  between  our  homes  must  be 
taken  as  some  excuse.  We  would  have  been  glad 
to  see  you  at  the  Oaks,  but  you  never  came  to 
visit  us." 

"  Ah,  it  was  much  easier  for  you  to  come  here," 
she  replied,  shaking  her  head.  "  I've  been  an  old 
woman  these  many  years.  Come,"  she  added, 
rising  from  the  table,  "  come  into  the  parlor,  chil- 
dren, and  let  me  show  you  the  olden  relics  of  time 
I  have  there — things  that  I  value  very  highly, 
because  they've  been  in  the  family  for  genera- 
tions." 

They  followed  her — Elsie  unable  to  forbear  a 
smile  at  hearing  her  father  and  herself  coupled 
together  as  "  children  " — and  looked  with  keen 
interest  upon  some  half  dozen  old  family  por- 
traits, an  ancient  cabinet  of  curiosities,  a  few 
musty,  time-worn  volumes,  a  carpet  that  had  been 
very  expensive  in  its  day,  but  was  now  somewhat 
faded  and  worn,  and  tables,  sofas,  and  chairs  of 
solid  mahogany;  each  of  the  last-named  covered 
with  a  heavily-embroidered  silken  cushion. 

"  That  sampler,"  said  Aunt  Wealthy,  pointing 
to  a  large  one  with  a  wonderful  landscape  worked 
upon  it,  that,  framed  and  glazed,  hung  between 
two  of  the  windows,  "  is  a  specimen  of  my  pater- 
Dai  grandmother's  handiwork;  these  chair- 
cushions,  too,  she  embroidered  and  filled  with  her 


ELSIE'S  GIKLHOOD.  147 

own  feathers,  so  that  I  value  them  more  than 
their  weight  in  gold/' 

"  My  great-grandmother  kept  a  few  geese,  I 
presume/'  Mr.  Dinsmore  remarked  aside  to  Elsie 
with  a  quiet  smile. 

Having  finished  their  inspection  of  the  parlor 
and  its  curiosities,  they  seated  themselves  upon 
the  front  porch,  where  trees  and  vines  gave  a 
pleasant  shade.  Miss  Stanhope  had  her  knitting, 
Mr.  Dinsmore  the  morning  paper,  while  Elsie  sat 
with  her  pretty  white  hands  lying  idly  in  her  lap, 
doing  nothing  hut  enjoy  the  beautiful  prospect 
and  a  quiet  chat  with  the  sweet-voiced  old  lady. 

The  talk  between  them  was  quite  brisk  for  a 
time,  but  gradually  it  slackened,  till  at  length 
they  had  been  silent  for  several  minutes,  and 
Elsie,  glancing  at  her  aunt,  saw  her  nodding  over 
her  work. 

"  Ah,  you  must  excuse  me,  dear,"  the  old  lady 
said  apologetically,  waking  with  a  start;  "  I'm  not 
very  well,  and,  deary,  I  woke  unusually  early  this 
morning,  and  have  been  stirring  about  ever 
since." 

"Can't  you  afford  yourself  a  little  nap, 
auntie?"  Elsie  asked  in  return.  "You  mustn't 
make  company  of  me;  and,  besides,  I  have  a  book 
that  I  can  amuse  myself  with." 

"You  would  be  quite  alone,  child,  for  I  see 
your  father  has  gone  in." 

"  I  shall  not  mind  that  at  all,  auntie.  Do  go 
and  lie  down  for  at  least  a  little  while." 

"  Well,  then,  dear,  I  will  just  lie  down  on  the 
sofa  in  the  sitting  room,  and  you  must  call  me  if 
any  one  comes." 


148  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOL,. 

"Aunt  Wealthy  couldn't  have  meant  for  a 
child  like  that,  unless  she  comes  on  some  impor- 
tant errand,"  thought  Elsie,  as,  a  few  moments 
later,  a  little  girl  came  slowly  across  the  lawn 
and  stepped  upon  the  porch. 

The  child  looked  clean  and  decent,  in  a  neat 
calico  dress  and  gingham  sun-bonnet.  At  sight 
of  Elsie  she  stood  still,  and,  gazing  with  open- 
mouthed  curiosity,  asked,  "  Be  you  the  rich  young 
lady  that  was  coming  to  see  Miss  Wealthy  from 
'way  down  south?  " 

"  I  have  come  from  the  South  to  see  Miss 
Stanhope.  What  do  you  wish?  " 

"  Nothin',  I  just  come  over  'cause  I  wanted  to." 

"Will  you  take  a  seat?" 

"  Yes,"  taking  possession  of  the  low  rocking 
chair  Miss  Stanhope  had  vacated. 

"What's  your  name?"  inquired  Elsie. 

"Lenwilla  Ellawea  Schilling,"  returned  the 
child,  straightening  herself  up  with  an  air  of  im- 
portance; "  mother  made  it  herself." 

"I  should  think  so,"  replied  Elsie,  with  a 
sparkle  of  fun  in  her  eye.  "  And  your  mother  is 
Mrs.  Schilling,  is  she?" 

"Yes,  and  pap,  he's  dead,  and  my  brother's 
named  Corbinus." 

"  What  do  they  call  you  for  short?  " 

"  Willy,  and  him  Binus." 

"  Where  do  you  live?  " 

"  Over  yonder,"  nodding  her  head  towards  the 
opposite  side  of  the  street.  ".Mother's  comin* 
over  to  see  you  some  time.  I  guess  I'll  be  going 
now."  And  away  she  went. 

"  What  did  that  child  want?  "  asked  Miss  Stan- 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  1*9 

hope,  coming  out  just  in  time  to  see  the  little 
maiden  pass  through  the  gate. 

"  Nothing  but  to  look  at  and  question  me,  I  be- 
lieve." Elsie  answered,  with  an  amused  smile. 

"  Ah!  she  generally  comes  to  borrow  some  little 
thing  or  other.  They're  the  sort  of  folks  that 
always  have  something  they're  out  of.  Mrs.  Six- 
pence is  a  very  odd  sixpence  indeed." 

"  I  think  the  little  girl  said  her  last  name  was 
Schilling." 

"Ah,  yes,  so  it  is:  but  I'm  always  forgetting 
their  exact  commercial  value,"  and  Aunt  Wealthy, 
laughed  softly.  "  In  fact,  I've  a  very  good  for- 
getting of  my  own,  and  am  more  apt  to  get  names 
wrong  than  right." 

"  Mrs.  Schilling  must  have  an  odd  taste  for 
names,"  said  Elsie. 

"  Yes,  she's  a  manufacturer  of  them;  and  very 
proud  of  her  success  in  that  line." 

Miss  Stanhope  was  a  great  lover  of  flowers, 
very  proud  of  hers,  cultivated  principally  by  her 
own  hands.  After  tea  she  invited  her  nephew 
and  niece  to  a  stroll  through  her  garden,  while 
she  exhibited  her  pets  with  a  very  excusable  pride 
in  their  variety,  beauty,  and  fragrance. 

As  they  passed  into  the  house  again,  Phillis 
was  feeding  the  chickens  in  the  back  yard. 

"  You  have  quite  a  flock  of  poultry,  aunt,"  re- 
marked Mr.  Dinsmore. 

"Yes,  I  like  to  see  them  running  about,  and 
the  eggs  you  lay  yourself  are  so  much  better  than 
any  you  can  buy,  and  the  chickens,  too,  have  quite 
another  taste.  Phillis,  what's  the  matter  with 
that  speckled  hen?" 


150  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"Dunno,  mistis;  she's  been  crippled  dat  way 
all  dis  week." 

"Well,  well,  I  dare  say  it's  the  boys;  one  of 
them  must  have  thrown  a  stone  and  hit  her  be- 
tween her  hind  legs;  they're  great  plagues.  Poor 
thing!  There,  Albert,  don't  you  dare  to  meddle 
with  the  fowls!  Come  away,  Thomas.  That  cat 
and  dog  are  nearly  as  bad  and  troublesome  to  the 
boys  as  the  poultry." 

Puss  and  the  poodle  followed  their  mistress 
into  the  house,  where  Albert  lay  down  at  her  feet, 
while  Thomas  sprang  into  her  lap,  where  he  stood 
purring  and  rubbing  his  head  against  her  arm. 

"  You  seem  to  have  a  good  many  pets,  auntie," 
Elsie  remarked. 

"  Yes,  I  am  fond  of  them.  A  childless  old 
woman  must  have  something  to  love.  I've  an- 
other that  I'm  fonder  of  than  any  of  these  though 
— my  grand-nephew,  Harry  Duncan.  He's  away 
at  school  now;  but  I  hope  to  show  him  to  you  one 
of  these  days." 

"  I  should  like  to  see  him.  Is  he  a  relative  of 
o«rs?"  Elsie  asked,  turning  to  her  father. 

"No,  he  belongs  to  the  other  side  of  the 
house." 

"  How  soft  and  fine  this  cat's  fur  is,  aunt;  he's 
quite  handsome,"  remarked  Elsie,  venturing  to 
stroke  Thomas  very  gently. 

"  Yes,  I  raised  him,  and  his  mother  before  him. 
My  sister  Beulah  was  first  husband's  child  of 
Harry's  grandmother  twice  married,  and  my 
mother.  Yes,  I  think  a  great  deal  of  him,  but 
was  near  losing  him  last  winter.  A  fellow  in  our 
town — he's  two  years  old  now — wanted  a  buffalo 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  181 

robe  for  his  sleigh,  and  undertook  to  make  it  out 
of  cat-skins.  He  advertised  that  he'd  give  ten 
cents  for  every  cat-skin  the  hoys  would  hring  him. 
You  know  the  old  saying  that  you  can't  have 
more  of  a  cat  than  its  skin,  and  hardly  anybody's 
was  safe  after  that;  they  went  about  catching  all 
they  could  lay  hands  on,  even  borrowing  people's 
pets  and  killing  them." 

Elsie  turned  to  her  father  with  a  very  perplexed 
look,  puzzled  to  understand  who  it  was  that  had 
married  twice,  and  whether  her  aunt  had  stated 
Harry's  age  or  that  of  the  cat. 

But  at  that  instant  steps  and  voices  were  heard 
upon  the  porch,  and  the  door-bell  rang. 

"  It's  Lottie  and  her  father/'  said  Miss  Stan- 
hope, pushing  Thomas  from  her  lap.  "  Come  in, 
friends,  and  don't  stand  for  ceremony."  For 
both  doors  stood  wide  open. 

"  Good-evening,"  said  the  young  lady,  coming 
forward,  leaning  upon  the  arm  of  a  middle-aged 
gentleman.  "  Mr.  Dinsmore,  I  have  brought  my 
father,  Dr.  King,  to  see  you." 

The  gentlemen  shook  hands,  the  doctor  ob- 
serving, "  I  am  happy  to  make  your  acquaintance, 
Mr.  Dinsmore.  I  brought  my  daughter  along  to 
introduce  me,  lest  our  good  Aunt  Wealthy  here, 
in  her  want  of  appreciation  of  nobility  and  birth, 
should,  as  she  sometimes  does,  give  me  a  rank 
lower  than  my  true  one,  making  me  to  appear 
only  a  Prince,  while  I  am  really  a  King." 

A  general  laugh  followed  this  sally,  Miss  Stan- 
hope insisting  that  that  was  a  mistake  she  did 
not  often  make  now.  Then  Elsie  was  introduced, 
and,  all  being  seated  again,  Dr.  King  turned  to 


153  ELSIE "8  GIRLHOOD. 

his  hostess  with  the  laughing  remark,  "Well, 
Aunt  Wealthy,  hy  way  of  amends,  I'll  own  up  that 
my  wife  says  that  you're  the  better  doctor  of  the 
two.  That  bran  has  done  her  a  world  of  good." 

"Bran?"  said  Mr.  Dinsmore  inquiringly. 

"  Yes,  sir;  Mrs.  King  was  suffering  from  indi- 
gestion; Miss  Stanhope  advised  her  to  try  eating 
a  tablespoonful  or  so  of  dry  bran  after  her  meals, 
and  it  has  had  an  excellent  effect/' 

"  My  father  learnt  it  from  an  old  sea-captain," 
said  Miss  Stanhope;  "  and  it  has  helped  a  great 
many  I've  recommended  it  to.  Some  prefer  to 
mi*  it  with  a  little  cream,  or  take  a  little  water 
with  it  but  the  best  plan's  to  take  it  dry  if  you 
can." 


CHAPTEE  XII. 

When  to  mischief  mortals  bend  their  will, 
How  soon  they  find  fit  instruments  of  ill. 

—POPE'S  "  RAPE  OF  THE  LOCK." 

u  WHAT,  Art,  are  you  going  out?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  Do  you  know  it's  after  ten?  " 

"  Yes,  you  just  mind  your  own  business,  Wai; 
learn  your  lessons,  and  go  off  to  bed  like  a  good 
boy  when  you  get  through.  I'm  old  enough  to 
take  care  of  myself." 

"  Dear  me!  I'm  awfully  afraid  he's  gone  back 
to  his  evil  courses,  as  father  says,"  muttered  Wal- 
ter Dinsmore  to  himself,  as  the  door  closed  upon 
his  reckless  elder  brother.  "  I  wonder  what  I 
ought  to  do  about  it,"  he  continued,  leaning  his 
head  upon  his  hand,  with  a  worried,  irresolute 
look;  "  ought  I  to  report  to  the  governor?  No, 
I  shan't,  there  then;  I  don't  know  anything,  and 
I  never  will  be  a  sneak  or  a  tell-tale."  And  he 
drew  the  light  nearer,  returned  to  his  book  with 
redoubled  diligence  for  some  ten  or  fifteen 
minutes  more;  then,  pushing  it  hastily  aside,  with 
a  sigh  of  relief,  started  up,  threw  off  his  clothes, 
blew  out  the  light,  and  tumbled  into  bed. 

Meanwhile  Arthur  had  stolen  noiselessly  from 
the  college,  and  pursued  his  way  into  the  heart  of 
the  town.  On  turning  a  corner  he  came  sud- 
denly upon  another  young  man,  who  seemed  to 

153 


154  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

have  been  waiting  for  him;  simply  remarking, 
"  You're  late  to-night,  Dinsmore,"  he  faced  about 
in  the  same  direction,  and  the  two  walked  on  to- 
gether. 

"  Of  course;  but  how  can  a  fellow  help  it  when 
he's  obliged  to  watch  his  opportunit}7  till  the  Ar- 
gus eyes  are  closed  in  sleep,  or  supposed  to  be 
BO?  "  grumbled  Arthur. 

"  True  enough,  old  boy;  but  cheer  up,  your  day 
of  emancipation  must  come  some  time  or  other," 
remarked  his  companion,  clapping  him  familiarly 
on  the  shoulder.  "  Of  age  soon,  aren't  you?  " 

"  In  about  a  year.  But  what  good  does  that 
do  me?  I'm  not  so  fortunate  as  my  older  brother 
— shall  have  nothing  of  my  own  till  one  or  other 
of  my  respected  parents  sees  fit  to  kick  the  bucket, 
and  leave  me  a  pile;  a  thing  which  at  present 
neither  of  them  seems  to  have  any  notion  of 
doing/' 

"  You  forget  your  chances  at  the  faro-table." 

"  My  chances!  You  win  everything  from  me, 
Jackson.  I'm  a  lame  duck  now,  and  if  my  luck 
doesn't  soon  begin  to  turn,  I'll — do  something 
desperate,  I  believe." 

The  lad's  tone  was  bitter,  his  look  reckless  and 
half  despairing. 

"  Pooh,  don't  be  a  spooney!  We  all  have  our 
aps  and  downs,  and  you  must  take  your  turn  at 
both,  like  the  rest." 

They  had  ascended  a  flight  of  steps,  and  Jack- 
son rang  the  bell  as  he  spoke.  It  was  answered 
instantly  by  a  colored  waiter,  who  with  a  silent 
bow  stepped  back  and  held  the  door  open  for  their 
entrance.  They  passed  in  and  presently  found 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  155 

themselves  in  a  large,  well-lighted,  and  hand- 
somely-furnished room,  where  tables  were  set  out 
with  the  choicest  viands,  rich  wine,  and  trays  of 
fine  cigars. 

They  seated  themselves,  ate  and  drank  their  fill, 
then,  each  lighting  a  cigar,  proceeded  to  a  saloon, 
on  the  story  above,  where  a  number  of  men  were 
engaged  in  playing  cards — gambling,  as  was  evi- 
dent from  the  piles  of  gold,  silver,  and  bank-notes 
lying  here  and  there  upon  the  tables  about  which 
they  sat. 

Here  also  costly  furniture,  bright  light,  and 
rich  wines  lent  their  attractions  to  the  scene. 

Arthur  took  possession  of  a  velvet-cushioned 
chair  on  one  side  of  an  elegant  marble-topped 
table,  his  companion  placing  himself  in  another 
directly  opposite.  Here,  seated  in  the  full  blaze 
of  the  gas-light,  each  face  was  brought  out  into 
strong  relief.  Both  were  young,  both  handsome; 
Jackson,  who  was  Arthur's  senior  by  five  or  six 
years,  remarkably  so;  yet  his  smile  was  sardonic, 
and  there  was  often  a  sinister  expression  in  his 
keen  black  eye  as  its  glance  fell  upon  his  victim, 
for  such  Arthur  Dinsmore  was — no  match  for  his 
cunning  and  unscrupulous  antagonist,  who  was  a 
gambler  by  profession. 

Arthur's  pretended  reformation  had  lasted 
scarcely  longer  than  until  he  was  again  exposed 
to  temptation,  and  his  face,  as  seen  in  that  bril- 
liant light,  wore  unmistakable  signs  of  indulgence 
in  debauchery  and  vice.  He  played  in  a  wild, 
reckless  way,  dealing  out  his  cards  with  a  trem- 
bling hand,  while  his  cheek  burned  and  his  eye 
flashed. 


156  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

At  first  Jackson  allowed  him  to  win,  and  filled 
with  a  mad  delight  at  the  idea  that  "  his  luck  had 
turned,"  the  boy  doubled  and  trebled  his  stakes. 

Jackson  chuckled  inwardly,  the  game  went 
on,  and  at  length  Arthur  found  all  his  gains  sud- 
denly swept  away  and  himself  many  thousands  of 
dollars  in  debt. 

A  ghastly  pallor  overspread  his  face,  he  threw 
himself  back  in  his  chair  with  a  groan,  then  start- 
ing up  with  a  bitter  laugh,  "  Well,  I  see  only  one 
way  out  of  this,"  he  said.  "  A  word  in  your  ear, 
Tom;  come  along  with  me.  I've  lost  and  you 
won  enough  for  one  night;  haven't  we,  eh?  " 

"  Well,  yes;  I'm  satisfied  if  you  are."  And  the 
two  hurried  into  the  now  dark  and  silent  street, 
for  it  was  long  past  midnight,  and  sober  and  re- 
spectable people  generally  had  retired  to  their 
beds. 

"  Where  are  you  going?  "  asked  Jackson. 

"  Anywhere  you  like  that  we  can  talk  without 
danger  of  being  overheard." 

"  This  way  thon,  down  this  street.  You  see 
'tis  absolutely  silent  and  deserted." 

They  walked  on,  talking  in  an  undertone. 

"You'd  like  your  money  as  soon  as  you  can 
get  it?  "  said  Arthur. 

"  Of  course;  in  fact  I  must  have  it  before  very 
long,  for  I'm  hard  pushed  now." 

"  Suppose  I  could  put  you  in  the  way  of  marry- 
ing a  fortune,  would  you  hold  me  quit  of  all  your 
claims  against  me?  " 

"  H'm,  that  would  depend  upon  the  success  of 
the  scheme." 

"And  that  upon  your  own  coolness  and  skill. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD,  157 

I 

I  think  I've  heard  you  spoken  of  as  a  woman- 
killer?  " 

"Ha,  ha!  Yes,  I  flatter  myself  that  I  have 
won  some  reputation  in  that  line,  and  that  not  a 
few  of  the  dear  creatures  have  been  very  fond  of 
me.  It's  really  most  too  bad  to  break  their  soft 
little  hearts;  but  then  a  man  can't  marry  'em  all; 
unless  he  turns  Mormon." 

Arthur's  lips  curled  with  scorn  and  contempt, 
and  he  half  turned  away  in  disgust  and  aversion; 
but  remembering  that  he  was  in  the  power  of  this 
man,  whom,  too  late,  alas!  he  was  discovering  to 
be  an  unscrupulous  villain,  he  checked  himself, 
and  answered  in  his  usual  tone,  "  No,  certainly 
not;  and  so  you  have  never  yet  run  your  neck  into 
the  matrimonial  noose?  " 

"No,  not  I,  and  don't  fancy  doing  so  either, 
yet  I  own  that  a  fortune  would  be  a  strong  temp- 
tation. But,  I  say,  lad,  if  it's  a  great  chance,  why 
do  you  hand  it  over  to  me?  Why  not  try  for  it 
yourself?  It's  not  your  sister,  surely?  " 

"  No,  indeed;  you're  not  precisely  the  sort  of 
brother-in-law  I  should  choose,"  returned  the 
boy,  with  a  bitter,  mocking  laugh.  "  But  stay, 
don't  be  insulted  " — for  his  companion  had  drawn 
himself  up  with  an  air  of  offended  pride — "  the 
lady  in  question  is  but  a  step  farther  from  me; 
she  is  my  brother's  daughter." 

"Eh!  you  don't  say?  A  mere  child,  then,  I 
presume." 

"  Eighteen,  handsome  as  a  picture,  as  the  say- 
ing is,  and  only  too  sweet-tempered  for  my  taste." 

"And  rich  you  say?  that  is  her  father's 
wealthy,  eh?  " 


158  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  Yes,  he's  one  of  the  richest  men  in  out 
county,  but  she  has  a  fortune  in  her  own  right, 
over  a  million  at  the  very  lowest  computation." 

"Whew!    You  expect  me  to  swallow  that?" 

"It's  true,  true  as  preaching.  You  wonder 
that  I  should  be  so  willing  to  help  you  to  get  her. 
Well,  I  owe  her  a  grudge,  I  see  no  other  way  to 
get  out  of  your  clutches,  and  I  shall  put  you  in 
the  way  of  making  her  acquaintance  only  on  con- 
dition that  if  you  succeed  we  share  the  spoils." 

"  Agreed.  Now  for  the  modus  operandi.  You 
tell  me  her  whereabouts  and  provide  me  with  a 
letter  of  introduction,  eh?  " 

"  No;  on  the  contrary,  you  are  carefully  to  con- 
ceal the  fact  that  you  have  the  slightest  knowl- 
edge of  me.  The  introduction  must  come  from 
quite-another  quarter.  Listen,  and  I'll  communi- 
cate the  facts  and  unfold  my  plan.  It  has  been 
running  in  my  head  for  weeks,  ever  since  I  heard 
that  the  girl  was  to  spend  the  summer  in  the 
North  with  nobody  but  an  old  maiden  aunt,  half- 
cracked  at  that,  to  keep  guard  over  her;  but  I 
couldn't  quite  make  up  my  mind  to  it  till  to-night, 
for  you  must  see,  Tom,"  he  added  with  a  forced 
laugh,  "  that  it  can't  be  exactly  delightful  to  my 
family  pride  to  think  of  bringing  such  a  dissi- 
pated fellow  as  you  into  the  connection." 

"  Better  look  at  home,  lad.  But  you  are  right; 
one  such  scamp  is,  or  ought  to  be,  all-sufficient 
for  one  family." 

Arthur  said,  "  Certainly,"  but  winced  at  the 
insinuation  nevertheless.  It  was  not  a  pleasant 
reflection  that  his  vices  had  brought  him  down  to 
a  level  with  this  man  who  lived  by  his  wits — or 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  159 

perhaps  more  correctly  speaking,  his  rascalities — - 
of  whose  antecedents  he  knew  nothing  and  whom, 
with  his  haughty  Southern  pride,  he  thoroughly 
despised. 

But  scorn  and  loathe  him  as  he  might  in  his 
secret  soul,  it  was  necessary  that  he  should  be 
conciliated,  because  it  was  now  in  his  power  to 
bring  open  disgrace  and  ruin  upon  his  victim. 
So  Arthur  went  on  to  explain  matters  and,  with 
Jackson's  assistance,  to  concoct  a  plan  of  getting 
Elsie  and  her  fortune  into  their  hands. 

As  he  had  said,  the  idea  had  been  in  his  mind 
for  weeks,  yet  it  was  not  until  that  day  that  he 
could  see  clearly  how  to  carry  it  out.  Also,  his 
family  pride  had  stood  in  the  way  until  the  ex- 
citement of  semi-intoxication  and  his  heavy 
losses  had  enabled  him  to  put  it  aside  for  the 
time.  To-morrow  he  would  more  than  half  re- 
gret the  step  he  was  taking,  but  now  he  plunged 
recklessly  into  the  thing  with  small  regard  for 
consequences  to  himself  or  others. 

"  Can  you  imitate  the  chirography  of  others?  " 
he  asked. 

"  Perfectly,  if  I  do  say  it  that  shouldn't." 

"  Then  we  can  manage  it.  My  brother  Walter 
has  kept  up  a  correspondence  with  this  niece  ever 
since  he  left  home.  In  a  letter  received  yester- 
day she  mentions  that  her  father  was  about  leav- 
ing her  for  the  rest  of  the  summer.  Also  that 
Miss  Stanhope,  the  old  aunt  she's  staying  with, 
was  formerly  very  intimate  with  Mrs.  Waters  of 
this  city. 

"  It  just  flashed  on  me  at  once  that  a  letter  of 
introduction  from  her  would  be  the  very  thing  to 


160  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

put  you  at  once  on  a  footing  of  intimacy  in  Misg 
Stanhope's  house;  and  that  if  you  were  good  at 
imitating  handwriting  we  might  manage  it  by 
means  of  a  note  of  invitation  which  I  received 
from  Mrs.  Waters  some  time  ago,  and  which,  as 
good  luck  would  have  it,  I  threw  into  my  table 
drawer  instead  of  destroying/' 

"But  who  knows  that  it  was  written  by  the 
lady  herself?" 

"  I  do,  for  I  heard  Bob  Waters  say  so." 

"  Good!  have  you  the  note  about  you?  n 

"  Yes,  here  it  is."  And  Arthur  drew  it  from 
his  pocket.  "  Let's  cross  over  to  that  lamp-post." 

They  did  so,  and  Jackson  held  the  note  up  to 
the  light  for  a  moment,  scanning  it  attentively. 
"  Ah,  ha!  the  very  thing!  no  trouble  at  all  about 
that,"  he  said,  pocketing  it  with  a  chuckle  of  de- 
light, "  But,"  and  a  slight  frown  contracted  his 
brows,  "  what  if  the  old  lady  should  take  it  into 
her  head  to  open  a  correspondence  on  the  subject 
with  her  old  friend?" 

"  I've  thought  of  that  too,  but  fortunately  for 
our  scheme  Mrs.  Waters  sails  for  Europe  to-mor- 
row; and  by  the  way  that  should  be  mentioned  in 
the  letter  of  introduction." 

"  Yes,  so  it  should.  Come  to  my  room  at  the 
Merchants'  House  to-morrow  night,  and  you  shall 
find  it  ready  for  your  inspection.  I  suppose  the 
sooner  the  ball's  set  in  motion  the  better?  "  he 
added  as  they  moved  slowly  on  down  the  street. 

"  Yes,  for  there's  no  knowing  how  long  it  may 
take  you  to  storm  the  citadel  of  her  ladyship's 
heart,  or  how  soon  her  father  may  come  to  the 
conclusion  that  he  can't  do  without  her,  and  go 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  161 

and  carry  her  off  home.  And  I  tell  you,  Tom, 
you'd  stand  no  chance  with  him,  or  with  her  if 
he  were  there.  He'd  see  through  you  in  five 
minutes." 

"  H'm!     What  sort  is  she?  " 

"The  very  pious!"  sneered  Arthur,  "and 
you're  bound  to  take  your  cue  from  that  or  you'll 
make  no  headway  with  her  at  all." 

"  A  hard  role  for  me,  Dinsmore.  I  know  noth- 
ing of  cant." 

"  You'll  have  to  learn  it  then;  let  her  once  sus- 
pect your  true  character — a  drinking,  gambling, 
fortune-hunting  roue — and  she'll  turn  from  you 
with  the  same  fear  and  loathing  that  she  would 
feel  for  a  venomous  reptile." 

"Ha,  ha!  you're  in  a  complimentary  mood  to- 
night, Dinsmore.  Well,  well,  such  a  fortune  as 
you  speak  of  is  worth  some  sacrifice  and  effort, 
and  I  think  I  may  venture  the  character  of  a  per- 
fectly moral  and  upright  man  with  a  high  respect 
for  religion.  The  rest  I  can  learn  by  degrees 
from  her;  and  come  to  think  of  it,  it  mightn't  be 
a  bad  idea  to  let  her  imagine  she'd  converted 
me." 

"  Capital!  The  very  thing,  Tom!  But  good- 
night. I  must  be  off  now  to  the  college.  I'll 
come  to  your  room  to-morrow  night  and  we'll 
finish  the  arrangement  of  all  preliminaries." 

More  than  a  fortnight  had  passed  since  the  ar- 
rival of  Miss  Stanhope's  guests.  It  had  been  a 
season  of  relaxation  and  keen  enjoyment  to  them,, 
to  her,  and  to  Dr.  King's  family,  who  had  joined 
them  in  many  a  pleasant  little  excursion  to  points 
of  interest  in  the  vicinity,  and  several  sociable 


162  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

family  picnics  among  the  surrounding  hills  and 
woods.  A  warm  friendship  had  already  sprung 
up  between  the  three  young  girls,,  and  had  done 
much  toward  reconciling  Elsie  to  the  idea  of 
spending  the  summer  there  away  from  her  father. 

She  had  finally  consented  to  do  so,  yet  as  the 
time  drew  near  her  heart  almost  failed  her.  In 
all  these  years  since  they  went  to  live  together  at 
the  Oaks,  they  had  never  been  far  apart — except 
once  or  twice  for  a  few  days  when  he  had  gone  to 
New  Orleans  to  attend  to  business  connected  with 
the  care  of  her  property;  and  only  on  a  very  few 
occasions,  when  she  paid  a  little  visit  in  their 
own  neighborhood,  had  they  been  separated  for 
more  than  a  day. 

She  could  not  keep  back  her  tears  as  she  hung 
about  his  neck  on  parting.  "  Ah,  papa,  how  can 
I  do  without  you  for  weeks  and  months?"  she 
sighed. 

"  Or  I  without  you,  my  darling? "  he  re- 
sponded, straining  her  to  his  breast.  "  I  don't 
know  how  I  shall  be  able  to  stand  it.  You  need 
not  be  surprised  to  see  me  again  at  any  time,  re- 
turning to  claim  my  treasure;  and  in  the  mean- 
while we  will  write  to  each  other  every  day.  I 
shall  want  to  know  all  you  are  doing,  thinking, 
and  feeling.  You  must  tell  me  of  all  your  pur- 
suits and  pleasures;  your  new  acquaintances, 
too,  if  you  form  any.  In  that  you  must  be  guided 
by  the  advice  of  Aunt  Wealthy,  together  with 
your  father's  known  wishes.  I  am  sure  I  can 
trust  my  daughter  to  obey  those  in  my  absence 
as  carefully  as  in  my  presence." 

"  I  think  you  may,  papa.     I  shall  try  to  do 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD,  163 

nothing  that  you  would  disapprove,  and  to  at- 
tend faithfully  to  all  your  wishes." 

Mr.  Dinsmore  left  by  the  morning  train,  di- 
rectly after  breakfast.  It  was  a  bright,  clear 
day,  and  Miss  Stanhope,  anxious  to  help  Elsie 
to  recover  her  spirits,  proposed  a  little  shopping 
expedition  into  the  village. 

"  You  have  not  seen  our  stores  yet/'  she  said, 
"  and  I  think  we'd  better  go  now  before  the 
sun  gets  anv  hotter.  Should  you  like  it,  my 
dear?" 

"Thank  you,  yes,  auntie.  I  will  go  and  get 
ready  at  once." 

Elsie  could  hardly  forbear  smiling  at  the  quaint 
little  figure  that  met  her  in  the  porch  a  few  mo- 
ments later,  and  trotted  with  quick,  short  steps 
by  her  side  across  the  lawn  and  up  and  down,  the 
village  streets.  The  white  muslin  dress  with  its 
short  and  scanty  skirt,  an  embroidered  scarf  of 
the  same  material,  the  close,  old-fashioned  leg- 
horn bonnet,  trimmed  with  one  broad  strip  of 
white  mantua  ribbon,  put  straight  down  over  the 
top  and  tied  under  the  chin,  and  the  black  mitts 
and  morocco  slippers  of  the  same  hue,  formed 
a  tout  ensemble  which,  though  odd,  wat*  not  un- 
pleasant to  look  upon.  In  one  hand  the  little 
lady  carried  a  very  large  parasol,  in  the  other  a 
gayly-colored  silk  reticule  of  corresponding  size, 
this  last  not  by  a  ribbon  or  string,  but  with  its 
hem  gathered  up  in  her  hand.  All  in  singular 
contrast  to  Elsie  with  her  slight,  graceful  form, 
fully  a  head  taller,  and  her  simple  yet  elegant 
costume.  But  the  niece  no  more  thought  of  feel- 
ing ashamed  of  her  aunt,  than  her  aunt  of  her. 


164  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD, 

They  entered  a  store,  and  the  smiling  mer« 
chant  asked,  "What  can  I  do  for  you  to-day, 
ladies?" 

"  I  will  look  at  shirting  muslin,  if  3rou  please, 
Mr.  Under,"  replied  Miss  Stanhope,  laying  para- 
sol and  reticule  upon  the  counter. 

"  Over,  if  you  please,  Miss  Stanhope,"  he  an- 
swered with  an  amused  look.  "  Just  step  this 
way,  and  I'll  show  you  a  piece  that  I  think  will 
suit." 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  I'm  always  making  mis- 
takes in  names,"  she  said,  doing  as  requested. 

"  Anything  else  to-day,  ladies  ?  "  he  asked  when 
the  muslin  had  been  selected.  "  I  have  quite  a  lot 
of  remnants  of  dress  goods,  Miss  Stanhope. 
Would  you  like  to  look  at  them?  " 

"  Yes,"  she  answered  almost  eagerly,  and  he 
quickly  spread  them  on  the  counter  before  her. 
She  selected  quite  a  number,  Elsie  wondering 
what  she  wanted  with  them. 

"  I'll  send  the  package  at  once,"  said  Mr.  Over, 
as  they  left  the  store. 

They  entered  another  where  Miss  Stanhope's 
first  inquiry  was  for  remnants,  and  the  same  thing 
was  repeated  till,  as  she  assured  Elsie,  they  had 
visited  every  dry-goods  store  in  the  place. 

"  Pretty  nice  ones,  too,  some  of  them  are;  don't 
you  think  so,  dear?" 

"  Yes,  auntie;  but  do  you  know  you  have 
etrongly  excited  my  curiosity?  " 

"Ah!  how  so?" 

"  Why,  I  cannot  imagine  what  you  can  want 
with  all  those  remnants.  I'm  sure  hardly  one  of 
them  could  be  made  into  a  dress  for  yourself  or 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  165 

for  PhilliSj  and  you  have  no  little  folks  to  pro- 
vide for." 

"  But  other  folks  have,  child,  and  I  shall  use 
some  of  the  smallest  for  patchwork." 

"Dere's  a  lady  in  de  parlor,  Miss  Stanhope," 
said  Chloe,  meeting  them  at  the  gate;. "kind  of 
lady/'  she  added  with  a  very  broad  smile,  "  come 
to  call  on  you,  ma'am,  and  Miss  Elsie  too." 

"  We'll  just  go  in  without  keeping  her  wait- 
ing to  take  off  our  bonnets,"  said  Aunt  Wealthy, 
leading  the  way. 

They  found  a  rather  gaudily-dressed,  and  not 
very  refined-looking  woman,  who  rose  and  came 
forward  to  meet  them  with  a  boisterous  manner, 
evidently  assumed  to  cover  a  slight  feeling  of  em- 
barrassment. "  Oh,  I'm  quite  ashamed,  Aunt 
Wealthy,  to  have  been  so  long  in  calling  to  see 
your  friends;  you  really  must  excuse  me;  it's  not 
been  for  want  of  a  strong  disinclination,  I  do 
assure  you:  but  you  see  I've  been  away  a-nursing 
of  a  sick  sister." 

"  Certainly,  Mrs.  Sixpence." 

"  Excuse  me.  Schilling." 

"  Oh  no,  not  at  all,  it's  my  mistake.  Elsie, 
Mrs.  Schilling.  My  niece,  Miss  Dinsmore.  Sit 
down,  do.  I'm  sorry  you  got  here  before  we  were 
through  our  shopping." 

"I'm  afraid  it's  rather  an  early  call,"  began 
Mrs.  Schilling,  her  rubicund  countenance  grow- 
ing redder  than  ever,  "  but " 

"  Oh,  aunt  did  not  mean  that,"  interposed  El- 
sie, with  gentle  kindliness.  "  She  was  only  re- 
gretting that  you  had  been  kept  waiting." 

"Certainly,"     said     Miss     Stanhope.     "You 


166  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

know  I'm  a  sad  hand  at  talking,  always  getting 
the  horse  before  the  cart,  as  they  say.  But  tell 
me  about  your  sister.  I  hope  she  has  recovered. 
What  ailed  her?  " 

"  She  had  inflammation  of  the  tonsils;  she's 
better  now  though;  the  tonsils  is  all  gone,  and 
I  think  she'll  get  along.  She's  weak  yet;  but 
that's  all.  There's  been  a  good  bit  of  sickness 
out  there  in  that  neighborhood,  through  the  win- 
ter and  spring;  there  were  several  cases  of  scarlet 
fever,  and  one  of  small-pox.  That  one  died,  and 
what  do  you  think,  Aunt  Wealthy;  they  had  a 
reg'lar  big  funeral,  took  the  corpse  into  the 
church,  and  asked  everybody  around  to  come 
to  it." 

"  I  think  it  was  really  wicked,  and  that  if  I'd 
been  the  congregation,  every  one  of  me  would 
have  staid  away." 

"  So  would  I.  There  now,  I'm  bound  to  tell 
you  something  that  happened  while  I  was  at 
father's.  My  sister  had  a  little  girl  going  on  two 
years  old,  and  one  day  the  little  thing  took  up  a 
flat  iron,  and  let  it  fall  on  her  toe,  and  mashed 
it  so  we  were  really  afraid  'twould  have  to  be 
took  off.  We  wrapped  it  up  in  some  kind  o'  salve 
mother  keeps  for  hurts,  and  she  kept  crying  and 
screamin'  with  pain,  and  we  couldn't  peacify  her 
nohow  at  all,  till  a  lady  that  was  visiting  next 
door  come  in  and  said  we'd  better  give  her  a  few 
drops  of  laud'num.  So  we  did,  and  would  you 
believe  it?  it  went  right  straight  down  into  her 
toe,  and  she  stopped  cryin',  and  pretty  soon 
dropped  asleep.  I  thought  it  was  the  curiosest 
thing  I  ever  heard  of." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  167 

"It  was  a  wise  prescription,  no  doubt,"  re- 
turned Miss  Stanhope,  with  a  quiet  sinile. 

"  Oh,  Aunt  Wealthy,  won't  you  tell  me  how 
you  make  that  Farmer's  fruit-cake?"  asked  the 
visitor,  suddenly  changing  the  subject.  "  Miss 
Dinsmore,  it's  the  nicest  thing  you  ever  eat. 
You'd  be  sure  it  had  raisins  or  currants  in  it." 

"  Certainly,  Mrs.  Schilling.  You  must  soak 
three  cups  of  dried  apples  in  warm  water  over 
night,  drain  off  the  water  through  a  sieve,  chop 
the  apples  slightly,  them  simmer  them  for  two 
hours  in  three  cups  of  molasses.  After  that  add 
two  eggs,  one  cup  of  sugar,  one  cup  of  sweet  milk 
or  water,  three-fourths  of  a  cup  of  butter  or  lard, 
one-half  teaspoonful  of  soda,  flour  to  make  a 
pretty  stiff  batter,  cinnamon,  cloves,  and  other 
spices  to  suit  your  taste." 

"  Oh,  yes!  but  I'm  afraid  I'll  hardly  be  able  to 
remember  all  that." 

"  I'll  write  the  receipt  and  send  it  over  to  you," 
said  Elsie. 

Mrs.  Schilling  returned  her  thanks,  sat  a  little 
longer,  conversing  in  the  same  lucid  style,  then 
rose  and  took  leave,  urging  the  ladies  to  call  soon, 
and  run  in  sociably  as  often  as  they  could. 

She  was  hardly  out  of  the  door  before  Aunt 
Wealthy  was  beating  up  her  crushed  chair-cush- 
ions to  that  state  of  perfect  roundness  and 
smoothness  in  which  her  heart  delighted.  It 
amused  Elsie,  who  had  noticed  that  such  was  her 
invariable  custom  after  receiving  a  call  in  her 
parlor. 

Lottie  King  and  Mrs.  Schilling  passed  each 
other  on  the  porch,  the  one  coming  in  as  the 


168  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

other  went  out.  Kind  Aunt  Wealthy,  intent  on 
preventing  Elsie  from  grieving  over  the  empti- 
ness of  her  father's  accustomed  seat  at  the  table, 
had  invited  her  young  friend  to  dinner.  The 
hour  of  the  meal  had,  however,  not  yet  arrived, 
and  the  two  girls  repaired  to  Elsie's  room  to 
spend  the  intervening  time. 

Lottie,  in  her  benevolent  desire  to  be  so  enter- 
taining to  Elsie  that  her  absent  father  should 
not  be  too  sorely  missed,  seized  upon  the  first 
topic  of  conversation  which  presented  itself  and 
rattled  on  in  a  very  lively  manner. 

"  So  you  have  begun  to  make  acquaintance 
with  our  peculiar  currency,  mon  ami!  An  odd 
sixpence  as  Aunt  Wealthy  calls  her.  Two  of 
them  I  should  say,  since  it  takes  two  sixpences 
to  make  a  shilling." 

"I  don't  know;  I'm  inclined  to  think  Aunt 
Wealthy's  arithmetic  has  the  right  of  it,  since 
she  was  never  more  than  a  shilling,  and  has  lost 
her  better  half,"  returned  Elsie,  laughing. 

"Better  half,  indeed!  fie  on  you,  Miss  Dins- 
more!  have  you  so  little  regard  for  the  honor  of 
your  sex  as  to  own  that  the  man  is  ever  that? 
But  I  must  tell  you  of  the  time  when  she  sus- 
tained the  aforesaid  loss;  and  let  me  observe,  sus- 
tained is  really  the  proper — very  properest  of 
words  to  express  my  meaning,  for  it  was  very  far 
from  crushing  her.  While  her  husband  was  ly- 
ing a  corpse,  mother  went  over  with  a  pie,  think- 
ing it  might  be  acceptable,  as  people  are  not  apt 
to  feel  like  cooking  at  such  a  time.  She  did 
not  want  to  disturb  the  new-made  widow  in  the 
jnidst  of  her  grief,  and  did  not  ask  for  her;  but 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  169 

Mrs.  Schilling  came  to  the  door.  'Oh,  I'm  so 
much  obliged  to  you  for  bringing  that  pie! '  she 
said.  'It  was  so  good  of  you.  I  hadn't  any  ap- 
petite to  eat  while  he  was  sick,  but  now  that  he's 
dead,  I  feel  as  if  I  could  eat  something.  You 
and  your  girls  must  come  over  and  spend  a  day 
with  me  some  time  soon.  He's  left  me  full  and 
plenty,  and  you  needn't  be  afraid  to  take  a  meal's 
victuals  off  me'  !  " 

"How  odd!  I  don't  think  she  could  be  quite 
broken-hearted." 

"  No,  and  she  has  apparently  forgotten  him, 
and  bestowed  her  affections  upon  another;  a  wid- 
ower named  Wert.  Mr.  Was,  Aunt  Wealthy  usu- 
ally calls  him.  They  both  attend  our  church, 
and  everybody  notices  how  impossible  it  seems 
to  be  for  her  to  keep  her  eyes  off  him;  and  you  can 
never  be  five  minutes  in  her  company  without 
hearing  his  name.  Didn't  she  talk  of  him  to- 
day?" 

"  Oh,  yes,  she  spoke  of  Mr.  Wert  visiting  some 
sick  man,  to  talk  and  pray  with  him,  and  re- 
joiced that  the  man  did  not  die  till  he  gave  evi- 
dence that  he  was  repaired." 

"  Yes,  that  sounds  like  her,"  laughed  Lottie. 
"  She's  always  getting  the  wrong  word.  I  told 
you  she  never  could  keep  her  eyes  off  Mr.  Wert. 
Well,  the  other  day — three  or  four  weeks  ago — 
coming  from  church  he  was  behind  her;  she  kept 
looking  back  at  him,  and  presently  came  bump 
up  against  a  post.  She  made  an  outcry,  of  course 
everybody  laughed,  and  she  hurried  off  with  a 
very  red  face.  That  put  an  idea  into  my  head, 
and — "  Lottie  paused,  laughing  and  blushing-— 


170  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  I'm  half  ashamed  to  tell  you,  but  I  believe  I 
will — Nettie  and  I  wrote  a  letter  in  a  sort  of 
manly  hand,  signed  his  initials,  and  put  it  into  an 
iron  pot  that  she  keeps  standing  near  her  back 
door.  The  letter  requested  that  she  would  put 
her  answer  in  the  same  place,  and  she  did.  Oh, 
it  was  rich!  such  a  rapture  of  delight;  and  such 
spelling  and  such  grammar  as  were  used  to  ex- 
press it!  It  was  such  fun  that  we  went  on,  and 
there  have  been  half  a  dozen  letters  on  each  side. 
I  daresay  she  is  wondering  why  the  proposal 
doesn't  come.  Ah,  Elsie,  I  see  you  don't  approve; 
you  are  as  grave  as  a  judge." 

"  I  would  prefer  not  to  express  an  opinion;  so 
please  don't  ask  me." 

"  But  you  don't  think  it  was  quite  right,  now 
do  you?" 

"  Since  you  have  asked  a  direct  question,  Lottie, 
dear,"  Elsie  answered,  with  some  hesitation,  "  I'll 
own  that  it  does  not  seem  to  me  quite  according 
to  the  golden  rule." 

"  No,"  Lottie  said,  after  a  moment's  pause,  in 
which  she  sat  with  downcast  eyes,  and  cheeks 
crimsoning  with  mortification.  "  I'm  ashamed  of 
myself,  and  I  hope  I  shall  never  again  allow  my 
love  of  fun  to  carry  me  so  far  from  what  is  true 
and  kind. 

"  And  so  Aunt  Wealthy  took  you  out  shopping/ 
and  secured  the  benefit  of  your  taste  and  judg- 
ment in  the  choice  of  her  remnants?"  she  ex- 
claimed, with  a  sudden  change  to  a  lively,  mirth- 
ful tone. 

"  How  do  you  know  that  she  bought  rem- 
nants  ?  "  asked  Elsie,  in  surprise. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  171 

'*  Oh,  she  always  does;  that's  a  particular  hobby 
of  the  dear  old  body's;  two  or  three  times  in  a  sea- 
son she  goes  around  to  all  the  stores,  and  buys 
up  the  most  of  their  stock;  they  save  the  best  of 
them  for  her,  and  always  know  what  she's  after 
the  moment  she  shows  her  pleasant  face.  She 
gives  them  away,  generally,  to  the  minister's  wife, 
telling  her  the  largest  are  to  be  made  into  dresses 
for  her  little  girls;  and  the  poor  lady  is  often  in 
great  tribulation,  not  knowing  how  to  get  the 
dresses  out  of  such  small  patterns,  and  afraid  to 
put  them  to  any  other  use,  lest  Miss  Stanhope 
should  feel  hurt  or  offended.  By  the  way,  what 
do  you  think  of  Aunt  Wealthy's  own  dress?" 

"  That  it  is  very  quaint  and  odd,  but  suits  her 
as  no  other  would." 

"  I'm  so  glad!  It's  just  what  we  all  think, 
but  before  you  came  we  were  much  afraid  you 
would  use  your  influence  to  induce  her  to  adopt 
a  more  fashionable  attire." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Bear  fair  presence,  though  your  heart  be  tainted  ; 
Teach  sin  the  carriage  of  a  holy  saint. 

—SHAKESPEARE'S  "  COMEDY  OF  EBRORS. 

"  IT'S  a  very  handsome  present,  child,  very; 
and  your  old  auntie  will  be  reminded  of  you  every 
time  she  uses  it,  or  looks  at  it." 

"  Both  beautiful  and  useful,  like  the  giver,"  re- 
marked Lottie. 

"  It "  was  a  sewing-machine,  Elsie's  gift  to 
Aunt  Wealthy,  forwarded  from  Cincinnati,  by 
Mr.  Dinsmore;  the  handsomest  and  the  best  to 
be  found  in  the  city;  so  Elsie  had  requested  that 
it  should  be,  and  so  he  had  written  that  it  was. 

"  I  am  glad  you  like  it,  auntie,  and  you  too, 
Lottie,"  was  all  she  said  in  response  to  their 
praises,  but  her  eyes  sparkled  with  pleasure  at 
the  old  lady's  evident  delight. 

"  It "  had  arrived  half  an  hour  before,  on  this 
the  second  morning  after  Mr.  Dinsmore's  depart- 
ure, and  now  stood  in  front  of  one  of  the  win- 
dows of  Aunt  Wealthy's  bedroom — a  delightfully 
shady,  airy  apartment  on  the  ground  floor,  back 
of  the  parlor,  and  with  window  and  door  opening 
out  upon  a  part  of  the  lawn  where  the  trees  were 
thickest  and  a  tiny  fountain  sent  up  its  showers 
of  spray. 

172 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  178 

Miss  Stanhope  stood  at  a  table,  cutting  out 
shirts.  Lottie  was  experimenting  on  the  machine 
with  a  bit  of  muslin.,  and  Elsie  sat  near  by  with 
her  father's  letter  in  her  hand,  her  soft  dark  eyes 
now  glancing  over  it  for  perhaps  the  twentieth 
time,  now  at  the  face  of  one  or  the  other  of  her 
companions,  as  Lottie  rattled  on  in  her  usual  gay, 
flighty  style,  and  Aunt  Wealthy  answered  her 
sometimes  with  a  straightforward  sentence,  and 
again  with  one  so  topsy-turvy  that  her  listeners 
could  not  forbear  a  smile. 

"For  whom  are  you  making  shirts,  aunt?" 
asked  Elsie. 

"  For  my  boy  Harry.  He  writes  that  his  last 
set  are  going  wonderfully  fast;  so  I  must  send  up 
another  to  make." 

"  You  must  let  us  help  you,  Lottie  and  I;  we 
have  agreed  that  it  will  be  good  fun  for  us." 

"  Thank  you,  dearie,  but  I  didn't  suppose  plain 
sewing  was  among  your  accomplishments." 

"Mamma  says  I  am  quite  a  good  needle-wo- 
man," Elsie  replied  with  a  smile  and  a  blush, 
"  and  if  I  am  not  it  is  no  fault  of  hers.  She  took 
great  pains  to  teach  me.  I  cut  out  a  shirt  for 
papa  once,  and  made  every  stitch  of  it  myself." 

"  And  she  can  run  the  machine  too,"  said  Lot- 
tie, "  though  her  papa  won't  let  her  do  so  for 
more  than  half  an  hour  at  a  time,  lest  she  should 
hurt  herself." 

"  He's  very  careful  of  her,  and  no  wonder," 
Aunt  Wealthy  responded,  with  a  loving  look  at 
the  sweet,  fair  face.  "  You  may  help  me  a  little, 
now  and  then,  children,  when  it  just  suits  your 
humor,  but  I  want  you  to  have  all  the  rides  and 


174  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

walks,  the  reading  and  recreation  of  every  sort 
that  you  can  enjoy." 

"  Here  comes  Lenwilla  Ellawea  Schilling,"  said 
Lottie,  glancing  from  the  window. 

"  What  do  you  want,  Willy?  "  asked  Miss  Stan- 
hope,  as  the  child  appeared  in  the  doorway  with 
a  teacup  in  her  hand. 

"  Mother  wants  a  little  light'ning  to  raise  her 
bread." 

"  Yeast?  Oh,  yes,  just  go  round  to  Phillis,  and 
she'll  give  you  some." 

The  door-bell  rang. 

"  It's  a  gentleman,"  said  the  child,  "  I  seen  him 
a-coming  in  at  the  gate." 

Chloe  answered  the  bell  and  entered  the  room 
the  next  moment  with  a  letter,  which  she  handed 
to  Miss  Stanhope. 

The  old  lady  adjusted  her  spectacles  and  broke 
the  seal.  "  Ah,  a  letter  of  introduction,  and  from 
my  old  friend  and  schoolmate  Anna  Waters; 
wishes  me  to  treat  the  young  man  with  all  the 
courtesy  and  kindness  I  would  show  to  her  own 
son,  for  she  esteems  him  most  highly,  etc.,  etc. 
Aunt  Chloe,  what  have  you  done  with  him?" 

"  Showed  him  into  de  parlor,  mistis,  and  leff 
him  a-sittin'  dar." 

"What's  his  name,  auntie?"  asked  Lottie,  as 
the  old  lady  refolded  the  letter  and  took  off  her 
glasses. 

"Bromly  Egerton;  quite  romantic,  isn't  it? 
Excuse  me  for  a  few  minutes,  dears;  I  must  go 
and  see  what  he  wants." 

Aunt  Wealthy  found  a  well-dressed,  handsome 
joung  man  seaf<?d  on  one  of  her  softly-cushioned 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  175 

chairs.  He  rose  and  came  forward  to  meet  her 
with  courtly  ease  and  grace.  "  Miss  Stanhope,  I 
presume?  " 

"You  are  right,  Mr.  Ledgerfield.  Pray  be 
seated,  sir." 

"  Thank  you,  madam,  but  let  me  first  help  you 
to  a  seat.  Excuse  the  correction,  but  Egerton  is 
my  name." 

"Ah,  yes!  For  the  sake  of  my  friend,  Mrs. 
Waters,  I  welcome  you  to  Lansdale.  Do  you  ex- 
pect to  make  some  stay  in  our  town?  " 

"  Well,  madam,  I  hardly  had  such  expectation 
before  arriving  here,  but  I  find  it  so  pretty  a  place 
that  I  begin  to  think  I  can  scarcely  do  better. 
My  health  has  been  somewhat  impaired  by  very 
strict  and  close  attention  to  business;  and  my 
physician  has  ordered  entire  relaxation  for  a  time, 
and  fresh  country  air.  Can  you  recommend  a 
boarding-place  in  town?  Some  quiet,  private 
hotel  where  drinking  and  things  of  that  kind 
would  not  be  going  on.  I'm  not  used  to  it,  and 
should  find  it  very  disgusting." 

"  I'm  glad  to  hear  such  sentiments,  young  man; 
they  do  you  honor.  I  daresay  Mrs.  Sixpence, — 
no,  Mrs.  Schilling, — just  opposite  here,  would  take 
you  in.  She  told  me  some  weeks  ago  that  she 
would  be  glad  to  have  one  or  two  gentlemen 
boarders." 

"  Thank  you,  the  location  would  suit  me  well; 
and  you  think  she  could  give  me  comfortable  ac- 
commodations? " 

"I  do;  she  has  pleasant  rooms  and  is  a  good 
cook." 

«  A  widow?" 


176  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  Yes,  not  very  young,  and  has  two  children. 
But  they  are  old  enough  not  to  be  annoying  to 
a  boarder." 

"  What  sort  of  woman  is  she?  " 

"  A  good  manager,  neat,  industrious,  honest^ 
and  obliging.  Very  suitable  for  a  landlady,  if 
you  are  not  looking  in  the  person  of  your  hostess 
for  an  intellectual  companion." 

"  Oh,  not  at  all,  Miss  Stanhope,  unless — unless 
you  could  find  it  in  your  benevolent  heart  to  take 
me  in  yourself; "  and  his  smile  was  very  insinu- 
ating. "  In  that  case  I  should  have  the  luxury  of 
intellectual  companionship  superadded  to  the 
other  advantages  of  which  you  have  spoken." 

The  old  lady  smiled,  but  shook  her  head  quite 
decidedly.  "  I  have  lived  so  long  in  the  perfect 
house  that  I  should  not  know  how  to  give  it  up. 
I  have  come  to  think  men  a  care  and  a  trouble 
that  I  cannot  take  upon  me  in  my  old  age." 

"  Excuse  me,  my  dear  madam,  for  the  unwar- 
rantable liberty  I  took  in  asking  it,"  he  said  in 
an  apologetic  tone,  and  with  a  slightly  embar- 
rassed air.  "  I  beg  ten  thousand  pardons." 

"  That  is  a  great  many,"  she  answered  with  a 
smile,  "but  you  may  consider  them  all  granted. 
I  hope  you  left  my  friend  Mrs.  Waters  well?  I 
must  answer  her  letter  directly." 

"  Ah,  then  you  are  not  aware  that  she  is  al- 
ready on  her  way  to  Europe?  " 

"No,  is  she  indeed?" 

"Yes,  she  sailed  the  day  after  that  letter  was 
written;  which  accounts  for  the  date  not  being 
a  very  recent  one.  You  see  I  did  not  leave  imme- 
diately on  receiving  it  from  her." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  Ill 

She  was  beginning  to  wish  that  he  would  go, 
but  he  lingered  for  some  time,  vainly  hoping  for 
a  glimpse  of  Elsie.  On  finally  taking  his  leave, 
he  asked  her  to  point  out  Mrs.  Schilling's  house, 
and  she  noticed  that  he  went  directly  there. 

"  Keally,  auntie,  we  hegan  to  think  that  your 
visitor  must  intend  to  spend  the  day,"  cried  Lot- 
tie, as  Miss  Stanhope  returned  to  her  room  and 
her  interrupted  employment. 

"Ah?  Well  it  was  not  my  urging  that  kept 
him;  I  was  very  near  telling  him  that  he  was 
making  me  waste  a  good  deal  of  time  "  replied 
the  old  lady;  then  seeing  that  Lottie  was  curious 
on  the  subject,  she  kindly  went  on  to  tell  all  that 
she  had  learned  in  regard  to  the  stranger  and  his 
intentions. 

Elsie  was  amusing  herself  with  Thomas,  trying 
to  cajole  him  to  return  to  the  frolicsomeness  of 
his  long-forgotten  kittenhood,  and  did  not  seem 
to  hear  or  heed.  What  interest  for  her  had  this 
stranger,  or  his  doings? 

"  Young  and  handsome,  you  say,  Aunt 
Wealthy?  and  going  to  stay  in  Lansdale  all  sum- 
mer? Would  you  advise  me  to  set  my  cap  for 
him?  " 

"  No,  Lottie;  not  I." 

"You  were  not  smitten  with  the  gentleman, 
eh?" 

"  Not  enough  to  spare  him  to  you  anyhow,  but 
he  may  improve  upon  acquaintance." 

"  I  don't  approve  of  marrying,  though,  do  you, 
auntie?  Your  practice  certainly  seems  to  speak 
disapproval." 

"  Perhaps  every  one  does  not  have  the  oppor- 


178  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

tunity,  my  dear,"  answered  the  old  lady,  with  a 
quiet  smile. 

"  Oh,  but  you  must  have  had  plenty  of  them. 
Isn't  that  so?  and  why  did  you  never  accept?  " 

Elsie  dropped  the  string  she  had  been  waving 
before  the  eyes  of  the  cat,  and  looked  up  with 
eager  interest. 

"Yes,  I  had  offers,  and  one  of  them  I  ac- 
cepted," replied  Aunt  Wealthy,  with  a  slight  sigh, 
while  a  shade  of  sadness  stole  over  her  usually 
happy  face,  "  but  my  friends  interfered  and  the 
match  was  broken  off.  Don't  follow  my  example, 
children,  but  marry  if  the  right  one  comes 
along." 

"  Surely  you  don't  mean  if  our  parents  refuse 
their  consent,  auntie?"  Elsie's  tone  spoke  both 
surprise  and  disapproval. 

"No,  no,  child!  It  is  to  those  who  keep  the 
fifth  commandment  God  promises  long  life  and 
prosperity." 

"  And  love  makes  it  so  easy  and  pleasant  to 
keep  it."  murmured  Elsie,  softly,  and  with  a 
sweet,  glad  smile  on  her  lips  and  in  her  eyes, 
thinking  of  her  absent  father,  and  almost  uncon- 
sciously thinking  aloud. 

"Ah,  child,  it  can  sometimes  make  it  very 
hard,"  said  Miss  Stanhope,  with  another  little 
sigh,  and  shaking  her  head  rather  sadly. 

"Elsie,  you  must  have  had  lots  of  lovers  be- 
fore this,  I  am  sure!  "  exclaimed  Lottie,  stopping 
her  machine,  and  facing  suddenly  round  upon 
her  friend.  "  No  girl  as  rich  and  beautiful  as 
you  are  could  have  lived  eighteen  years  without 
such  an  experience." 


FLSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  179 

Elsie  only  smiled  and  blushed. 

"  Come  now,  am  I  not  right?  "  persisted  Lottie. 

"I  do  assure  you  that  I  have  actually  lived 
to  this  mature  age  quite  heart-whole/'  laughed 
Elsie.  "  If  I  have  an  idol,  it  is  papa,  and  I  don't 
believe  anybody  can  ever  succeed  in  displacing 
him." 

"You  have  quite  misunderstood  me,  wilfully 
or  innocently — I  asked  of  your  worshippers,  not 
of  your  idols.  Haven't  you  had  offers?" 

"  Several;  money  has  strong  attractions  for 
most  men,  papa  tells  me." 

"  May  the  Lord  preserve  you  from  the  sad  fate 
of  a  woman  married  for  her  money,  dear  child! " 
ejaculated  Aunt  Wealthy,  with  a  glance  of  anx- 
ious affection  at  her  lovely  niece.  "  I'm  some- 
times tempted  to  think  a  large  amount  of  it  alto- 
gether a  curse  and  an  affliction." 

"It  is  a  great  responsibility,  auntie,"  replied 
Elsie,  with  a  look  of  gravity  beyond  her  years. 
Then  after  a  moment's  pause,  her  expression 
changing  to  one  of  gayety  and  joy,  "  Now,  if  yon 
and  Lottie  will  excuse  me  for  a  little,  I'll  run  up 
to  my  room,  and  answer  papa's  letter,"  she  said, 
rising  to  her  feet.  "  After  which  I  shall  be  ready 
to  make  myself  useful  in  the  capacity  of  seam- 
stress. Au  revoir."  And  she  tripped  away  with 
a  light,  free  step,  every  movement  as  graceful  as 
those  of  a  young  gazelle. 

••  Mr.  Bromly  Egerton,  alias  Tom  Jackson,  was 
fortunate  enough  to  find  Mrs.  Schilling  at  home. 
It  was  she  who  answered  his  knock, 

"  Good-day,  sir,"  she  said.  "  Will  you  walk  in? 
Just  step  into  the  parlor  here,  and  take  a  seat." 


180  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

He  accepted  the  invitation  and  stated  his  busi- 
ness without  preface,  or  waiting  to  be  questioned 
at  all. 

She  seemed  to  be  considering  for  a  moment. 
"  Well,  yes,  I  can't  say  as  I'd  object  to  taking  a 
few  gentlemen  boarders,  but — I'd  want  to  know 
who  you  be,  and  all  about  you." 

"  Certainly,  ma'am,  that's  all  right.  I'm  from 
the  East;  rather  broken  down  with  Lard  work — 
a  business  man,  you  see — and  want  to  spend  the 
summer  here  to  recruit.  Pitched  upon  your  town 
because  it  strikes  me  as  an  uncommonly  pretty 
place.  I  brought  a  letter  of  introduction  to  your 
neighbor,  Miss  Stanhope,  and  she  recommended 
me  to  come  here  in  search  of  board,  saying  you'd 
make  a  capital  landlady." 

'  "  Well,  if  she  recommends  you,  it's  all  right. 
Would  you  like  to  look  at  the  rooms  ?  " 

She  had  two  to  dispose  of — one  at  the  back  and 
the  other  in  the  front  of  the  house,  both  cheer- 
ful, airy,  of  reasonable  size,  and  neatly  furnished. 
He  preferred  the  latter,  because  it  overlooked 
Miss  Stanhope's  house  and  grounds. 

As  he  stood  at  the  window,  taking  note  of  this, 
a  young  girl  appeared  at  the  one  opposite.  For 
one  minute  he  had  a  distinct  view  of  her  face  as 
she  stood  there  and  put  out  her  hand  to  gather 
a  blossom  from  the  vine  that  had  festooned  itself 
so  gracefully  over  the  window. 

He  uttered  an  exclamation  of  delighted  sur- 
prise, and  turning  to  his  companion  asked,  "  Who 
ig  she?" 

"  Miss  Dinsmore,  Miss  Stanhope's  niece.  She's 
here  on  a  visit  to  her  aunt.  She's  from  the  South, 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  181 

and  worth  a  mint  of  money,  they  say.  Aint  she 
handsome  though?  handsome  as  a  picture?" 

"Posh!  handsome  doesn't  begin  to  express  it! 
Why,  she's  angelic!  But  there!  she's  gone! "  And 
he  drew  a  long  breath  as  he  turned  away. 

"  You'd  better  conclude  to  take  this  room  if 
you  like  to  look  at  her,"  artfully  suggested  Mrs. 
Schilling.  "That's  her  bedroom  window,  and 
she's  often  at  it.  Besides,  you  can  see  the  whole 
front  of  Miss  Stanhope's  place  from  here,  and 
watch  all  the  comings  and  goings  o'  the  girls — 
Miss  Dinsmore,  and  Miss  Nettie  and  Lottie 
King." 

"Who  are  they?" 

"  Kind  o'  fur-off  cousins  to  Miss  Stanhope. 
They  live  in  that  next  house  to  hern,  and  are 
amazin'  thick  with  her,  runnin'  in  and  out  all 
times  o'  day.  Nice,  spry,  likely  girls  they  be  too, 
not  bad-lookin'  neither,  but  hardly  fit  to  hold  a 
candle  to  Miss  Dinsmore,  as  fur  as  beauty's  con- 
cerned. Well,  what  do  you  say  to  the  room, 
Mr.  Egerton?  " 

"  That  I  will  take  it,  and  would  like  to  have 
immediate  possession." 

"All  right,  sir;  fetch  your  traps  whenever 
you've  a  mind;  right  away,  if  you  like." 

There  was  no  lack  of  good  society  in  Lansdale. 
It  had  even  more  than  the  usual  proportion  of 
well-to-do,  intelligent,  educated,  and  refined 
people  to  be  found  in  American  villages  of  its 
size.  They  were  hospitable  folks,  too,  disposed  to 
be  kind  to  strangers  tarrying  in  their  midst,  and, 
Miss  Stanhope  being  an  old  resident,  well  known 
and  highly  esteemed,  spite  of  her  eccentricities, 


182  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

her  friends  had  received  a  good  deal  of  attention. 
Elsie  had  already  become  slightly  acquainted  with 
a  number  of  pleasant  families;  a  good  many 
young  girls,  and  also  several  young  gentlemen 
had  called  upon  her,  and  Lottie  assured  her  there 
were  many  more  to  come. 

"  Some  of  the  very  nicest  are  apt  to  be  slow 
about  calling — we're  such  busy  folks  here,"  she 
said,  laughing.  "  I've  a  notion,  too,  that  several 
of  the  beaux  stood  rather  in  awe  of  your  papa." 

They  were  talking  together  over  their  sewing, 
after  Elsie  had  come  down  from  finishing  her  let- 
ter, and  sent  Chloe  to  the  post-office  with  it. 

"I  don't  wonder,"  she  answered,  looking  up 
with  a  smile;  "  there  was  a  time,  a  long  while  ago, 
when  I  was  very  much  afraid  of  .him  myself;  and 
even  now  I  have  such  a  wholesome  dread  of  his 
displeasure  as  would  keep  me  from  any  act  of 
disobedience,  if  love  was  not  sufficient  to  do  that 
without  help  from  any  other  motive." 

"  You  are  very  fond  of  him,  and  he  of 
you?  " 

"Yes,  indeed!  how  could  it  be  otherwise  when 
for  so  many  years  each  was  all  the  other  had? 
But  I'm  sure,  quite  sure  that  neither  of  u-s  loves 
the  other  less  because  now  we  have  mamma  and 
darling  little  Horace." 

"  I  should  like  to  know  them  both,"  said  Miss 
Stanhope.  "  I  hope  your  father  will  bring  them 
with  him  when  he  comes  back  for  you." 

"  Oh,  I  hope  he  will!  I  want  so  much  to  have 
you  know  them.  Mamma  is  so  dear  and  sweet, 
almost  as  dear  as  papa  himself.  And  Horace — 
well,  I  can't  believe  there  ever  was  quite  such  an- 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  183 

other  darling  to  be  found,"  Elsie  continued,  with 
a  light,  joyous  laugh. 

"  Ah! "  said  Aunt  Wealthy  with  a  sigh  and  a 
smile,  "  it  is  a  good  and  pleasant  thing  to  be 
young  and  full  of  life  and  gayety,  and  to  have 
kind,  wise  parents  to  look  to  for  help  and  guid- 
ance. You  will  realize  that  when  you  grow  old 
and  have  to  be  a  prop  for  others  to  lean  upon 
instead." 

"  Yes,  dear  auntie,"  Elsie  answered,  giving  her 
a  look  of  loving  reverence,  "  but  surely  the  pass- 
ing years  must  have  brought  you  so  much  wisdom 
and  self-reliance  that  that  can  be  no  such  very 
hard  task  to  you." 

"  Ah,  child!  "  replied  the  old  lady,  shaking  her 
head,  "  I  often  feel  that  my  stock  of  those  is  very 
small.  But  then  how  sweet  it  is  to  remember 
that  I  have  a  Father  to  whom  I  never  shall  grow 
old;  never  cease  to  be  His  little  child,  in  constant 
need  of  His  tender,  watchful  care  to  guard  and 
guide.  Though  the  gray  hairs  are  on  my  head, 
the  wrinkles  of  time,  sorrow,  and  care  upon  my 
brow,  He  does  not  think  me  old  enough  to  be  left 
to  take  care  of  myself.  No;  He  takes  my  hand  in 
His  and  leads  me  tenderly  and  lovingly  along, 
choosing  each  step  for  me,  protecting  me  from 
harm,  and  providing  for  all  my  needs.  What 
does  He  say?  'Even  to  your  old  age  I  am  He; 
and  even  to  hoar  hairs  will  I  carry  you'  ! " 

"  Such  sweet  words!  They  almost  reconcile 
one  to  growing  old,"  murmured  Lottie,  and  Aunt 
Wealthy  answered,  with  a  subdued  gladness  in 
her  tones,  "  You  need  not  dread  it,  child,  for  does 
not  every  year  bring  us  nearer  home? " 


184  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

The  needles  flew  briskly  until  the  dinner-bell 
sounded  its  welcome  summons. 

"  We  shall  finish  two  at  least  this  afternoon, 
I  think,"  said  Lottie,  folding  up  her  work. 

"  No,  we've  had  sewing  enough  for  to-day,"  re- 
plied Miss  Stanhope.  "  I  have  ordered  the  car- 
riage at  two.  We  will  have  a  drive  this  afternoon, 
and  music  this  evening;  if  you  and  Elsie  do  not 
consider  it  too  much  of  a  task  to  play  and  sing 
for  your  old  auntie." 

"  A  task,  Aunt  Wealthy!  It  would  be  a  double 
delight — giving  you  pleasure  and  ourselves  en- 
joying the  delicious  tones  of  that  splendid  piano. 
Its  fame  has  already  spread  over  the  whole  town," 
she  added,  turning  to  Elsie,  "and  between  its 
attractions  and  those  of  its  owner,  I  know  there'll 
be  a  great  influx  of  visitors  here." 

Elsie  was  a  very  fine  musician,  and  for  her  ben- 
efit during  her  stay  in  Lansdale,  Mr.  Dinsmore 
had  had  a  grand  piano  sent  on  from  the  East,  or- 
dering it  in  season  to  have  it  arrive  almost  as 
soon  as  they  themselves. 

"  Yes,  Lottie  is  quite  right  about  it,  Aunt 
Wealthy,  and  you  shall  call  for  all  the  tunes  you 
want,"  Elsie  said,  noticing  her  friend's  prediction 
merely  by  a  quiet  smile. 

"  You  don't  know  how  I  enjoy  that  piano," 
Lottie  rattled  on  as  they  began  their  meal.  "  It 
must  be  vastly  pleasant  to  have  plenty  of  money 
and  such  an  indulgent  father  as  yours,  Elsie.  Not 
that  I  would  depreciate  my  own  at  all — I 
wouldn't  exchange  him  even  for  yours — but  he, 
you  see,  has  more  children  and  less  money." 

"Yes,  I  think  we  are    both    blessed  in  our 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  185 

fathers/'  answered  Elsie.  "  I  admire  yours  very 
much;  and  mine  is,  indeed,  very  indulgent,  though 
at  the  same  time  very  strict;  he  never  spares  ex- 
pense or  trouble  to  give  me  pleasure.  But  the 
most  delightful  thing  of  all  is  to  know  that  he 
loves  me  so  very,  very  dearly; "  and  the  soft  eyes 
shone  with  the  light  of  love  and  joy. 

It  was  nearly  tea  time  when  the)''  returned 
from  their  drive,  some  lady  callers  having  pre- 
vented them  from  setting  out  at  the  early  hour 
intended. 

"  Now  I  must  run  right  home/'  said  Lottie,  as 
they  alighted.  "  Mother  complains  that  she  gets 
no  good  of  me  at  all  of  late." 

"Well,  she  has  Nettie,"  returned  Miss  Stan- 
hope, "  and  she  told  me  Elsie  and  I  might  have 
all  we  wanted  of  you  till  the  poor  child  gets  a 
little  used  to  her  father's  absence." 

"  Did  she,  Aunt  Wealthy?  There,  I'll  remind 
her  of  that,  and  also  of  the  fact  that  Nettie  is 
worth  two  of  me  any  day." 

"  And  you'll  come  back  to  spend  the  evening? 
Indeed  you  must,  or  how  is  Elsie  to  learn  her 
visitors'  names?  You  know  I  could  never  get 
them  straight.  But  there's  the  tea-bell,  so  come 
in  with  us.  No  need  to  go  home  till  bed-time, 
or  till  to-morrow,  that  I  can  see." 

"  Thank  you,  but  of  course,  auntie,  I  want  to 
primp  a  bit,  just  as  you  did  in  your  young  days, 
when  the  beaux  were  coming.  So  good-bye  for 
the  present,"  she  cried,  skipping  away  with  a 
merry  laugh,  Miss  Stanhope  calling  after  her  to 
bring  Nettie  along  when  she  returned. 

"  We  have  so  many  odd  names  in  this  town, 


186  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

and  I  such  an  odd  sort  of  memory,  that  I  make  a 
great  many  mistakes,"  said  the  old  lady,  leading 
the  way  to  the  house. 

Elsie  thought  that  was  all  very  true,  when  in 
the  course  of  the  evening  she  was  introduced  to 
Mr.  Comings,  Mr.  Tizard,  Mr.  Stop,  Miss  Lock, 
and  Miss  Over,  and  afterward  heard  her  aunt  ad- 
dress them  variously  as  "  Mr.  In-and-out,"  "  Mr. 
Wizard,"  "Mr.  Lizard,"  "Mr.  Quit,"  "Miss  Un- 
der," and  "  Miss  Key." 

But  the  old  lady's  peculiarity  was  so  well 
known  that  no  one  thought  of  taking  offence;  and 
her  mistakes  caused  only  mirth  and  amusement. 

Lottie's  prediction  was  so  fully  verified  that 
Elsie  seemed  to  be  holding  a  sort  of  levee. 

"  What  faultless  features,  exquisitely  beautiful 
complexion,  and  sweet  expresion  she  has." 
"  What  a  graceful  form,  what  pleasant,  affable 
manners,  so  entirely  free  from  affectation  or  hau- 
teur; no  patronizing  airs  about  her  either,  'but 
perfect  simplicity  and  kindliness."  "  And  such 
a  sweet,  happy,  intelligent  face."  "  Such  beauti- 
ful hair  too;  did  you  notice  that?  so  abundant, 
soft  and  glossy,  and  such  a  lovely  color."  "  Yes, 
and  what  simple  elegance  of  dress."  "  She's  an 
accomplished  musician,  too,  and  has  a  voice  as 
sweet,  rich,  and  full  as  a  nightingale's,"  remarked 
one  and  another  as  they  went  away.  The  unani- 
mous verdict  seemed  to  be,  that  the  young- 
stranger  was  altogether  charming. 

Across  the  street,  Mrs.  Schilling's  boarder 
paced  to  and  fro,  watching  the  coming  and  going, 
listening  to  the  merry  salutations,  and  gay  adieux, 
the  light  laughter,  and  the  sweet  strains  of  music 


ELSIE'S  GIELHOOD.  187 

and  song,  till  the  desire  to  make  one  of  the  happy 
throng  grew  so  strong  upon  him  that  it  was  no 
longer  to  be  resisted. 

"  I  will  go  in  with  those,"  he  muttered,  cross- 
ing over  just  in  time  to  enter  directly  in  the  rear 
of  a  lady  and  gentleman,  whom  he  saw  coming 
up  the  street.  "  Miss  Stanhope  invited  me  to  call 
again,  without  particularizing  how  soon,  and  I 
can  turn  my  speedy  acceptance  into  a  compliment 
to  their  music,  without  even  a  white  lie,  for  it 
does  sound  extremely  attractive  to  a  lonely,  idle 
fellow  like  me." 

Miss  Stanhope  met  him  at  the  door,  would 
scarce  listen  to  his  apology — insisting  that  "  none 
was  needed;  one  who  had  come  to  her  with  such 
an  introduction  from  so  valued  a  friend  as  Mrs. 
Waters,  must  always  be  a  welcome  guest  in  her 
house  " — and  ushering  him  into  the  parlor,  in- 
troduced him  to  her  niece,  and  all  others 
present. 

A  nearer  and  more  critical  view  of  Elsie  only 
increased  his  admiration;  he  thought  her  the  love- 
liest creature  he  had  ever  seen.  But  it  did  not 
suit  his  tactics  to  show  immediately  any  strong 
attraction  toward  her,  or  desire  to  win  her  regard. 
For  this  evening  he  devoted  himself  almost  ex- 
clusively to  Miss  Stanhope,  exerting  all  his  powers 
to  make  a  favorable  impression  upon  her. 

In  this  he  was  entirely  successful.  He  had, 
when  he  chose,  most  agreeable  and  polished  man- 
ners. Also  he  had  seen  much  of  the  world,  pos- 
sessed a  large  fund  of  general  information,  and 
knew  exactly  how  to  use  it  to  the  best  advantage. 
With  these  gifts,  very  fine,  expressive  eyes,  regu- 


188  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

lar  features,  and  handsome  person,  no  wonder 
he  could  boast  himself  "  a  woman-killer." 

Aunt  Wealthy,  though  old  enough  to  be  invul- 
nerable to  Cupid's  arrows,  showed  by  her  warm 
praises,  after  he  had  left  that  evening,  that  she 
was  not  proof  against  his  fascinations. 


CHAPTER  XIY. 

Your  noblest  natures  are  most  credulous. 

—CHAPMAN. 

BKOMLY  EGERTOX  (we  give  him  the  name  by 
which  he  had  become  known  to  our  friends  in 
Lansdale)  considered  it  "a  very  lucky  chance" 
that  had  provided  him  a  boarding-place  so  near 
the  temporary  home  of  his  intended  victim.  He 
felicitated  himself  greatly  upon  it,  and  lost  no 
time  in  improving  to  the  utmost  all  the  advan- 
tages it  conferred.  It  soon  came  to  be  a  custom- 
ary thing  for  him  to  drop  in  at  Miss  Stanhope's 
every  day,  or  two  or  three  times  a  day,  and  to 
join  the  young  girls  in  their  walks  and  drives, 
for,  though  at  first  paying  court  to  no  one  but 
the  mistress  of  the  mansion,  he  gradually  turned 
his  attention  more  and  more  to  her  niece  and 
Miss  King. 

As  their  ages  were  so  much  nearer  his  this 
seemed  perfectly  natural,  and  excited  no  suspi- 
cion or  remark.  Aunt  "Wealthy  was  quite  willing 
to  resign  him  to  them;  for — a  very  child  in  inno- 
cent trustfulness — she  had  no  thought  of  any 
evil  design  on  the  part  of  the  handsome,  attract- 
ive young  stranger  so  warmly  recommended  to 
her  kindness  and  hospitality  by  an  old  and  val- 
ued friend,  and  only  rejoiced  to  see  the  young 
folks  enjoying  themselves  so  much  together. 

Before  leaving  Lansdale    Mr.  Dinsmore    had 


190  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

provided  his  daughter  with  a  gentle,  but  spirited 
and  beautiful  little  pony,  and  bade  her  ride  out 
every  day  when  the  weather  was  favorable,  as  was 
her  custom  at  home.  At  the  same  time  he  cau- 
tioned her  never  to  go  alone:  but  always  to  have 
Simon  riding  in  her  rear,  and,  if  possible,  a  lady 
friend  at  her  side. 

Dr.  King  was  not  wealthy,  and  having  a  large 
family  to  provide  for,  kept  no  horse  except  the 
one  he  used  in  his  practice;  but  Elsie,  with  her 
well-filled  purse,  was  more  than  content  to  fur- 
nish ponies  for  her  friends  Lottie  and  Nettie 
whenever  they  could  accompany  her;  and  mat- 
ters were  so  arranged  by  their  indulgent  mother 
that  one  or  both  could  do  so  every  day. 

It  was  not  long  before  Mr.  Egerton  joined  them 
in  these  excursions  also,  having  made  an  arrange- 
ment with  a  livery-stable  keeper  for  the  daily  use 
of  a  horse.  And  gradually  his  attention,  in  the 
beginning  about  equally  divided  between  the  two, 
or  the  three,  were  paid  more  and  more  exclusively 
to  Elsie. 

She  was  not  pleased  with  him  in  their  earlier 
interviews,  she  could  scarcely  have  told  why;  but 
there  was  an  intuitive  feeling  that  he  was  not 
one  to  be  trusted.  That,  however,  gradually  gave 
way  under  the  fascinations  of  his  fine  person, 
agreeable  manners,  and  intellectual  conversation. 
He  was  very  plausible  and  captivating,  ehe  full 
of  charity  and  ready  to  believe  the  best  of  every- 
body, and  so,  little  by  little,  he  won  her  confi- 
dence and  esteem  so  completely  that  at  length 
she  had  almost  forgotten  that  her  first  impres- 
sion had  not  been  favorable. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  191 

He  went  regularly  to  the  church  she,  her  aunt, 
and  the  Kings  attended,  appearing  an  interested 
listener,  and  devout  worshipper;  and  that  not  on. 
the  Sabbath  only,  but  also  at  the  regular  week- 
day evening  service;  he  seemed  also  to  choose  his 
associates  among  good,  Christian  people.  The 
natural  inference  from  all  this  was  that  he  too 
was  a  Christian,  or  at  least  a  professor  of  re- 
ligion; and  thus  all  our  friends  soon  came  to  look 
upon  him  as  such,  and  to  feel  the  greater  friend- 
ship for,  and  confidence  in  him. 

He  found  that  Elsie's  beauty  would  bear  the 
closest  scrutiny,  that  her  graces  of  person  and 
mind  were  the  more  apparent  the  more  thor- 
oughly she  was  known;  that  she  was  highly  edu- 
cated and  accomplished,  possessed  of  a  keen  in- 
tellect, and  talents  of  no  common  order,  and  a 
wonderful  sweetness  of  disposition.  He  ac- 
knowledged to  himself  that,  even  leaving  money 
out  of  the  question,  she  was  a  prize  any  man. 
might  covet;  yet  that  if  she  were  poor,  he  would 
never  try  to  win  her.  A  more  voluptuous  woman 
would  have  suited  him  better.  Elsie's  very  purity 
made  her  distasteful  to  him,  his  own  character 
seeming  so  much  blackened  by  contrast  that  at 
times  he  could  but  loathe  and  despise  himself. 

But  her  fortune  was  an  irresistible  attraction, 
and  he  resolved  more  firmly  than  ever  to  leave 
no  stone  unturned  to  make  himself  master  of  it. 

He  soon  perceived  that  he  had  many  rivals, 
but  he  possessed  one  advantage  over  them  all  in 
his  entire  leisure  from  business,  leaving  him  at 
liberty  to  devote  himself  to  her  entertainment 
during  the  day  as  well  as  the  evening. 


192  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

For  a  while  he  greatly  feared  that  he  had  at 
more  dangerous  rival  at  a  distance;  for,  watch- 
ing from  his  windows,  he  saw  that  every  morning 
Simon  brought  one  or  more  letters  from  the  post, 
and  that  Elsie  was  usually  on  the  front  porch 
awaiting  his  coming;  that  she  would  often  come 
flying  across  the  lawn,  meet  her  messenger  at  the 
gate,  and  snatching  her  letter  with  eager,  joyful 
baste,  rush  back  to  the  house  with  it,  and  disap- 
pear within  the  doorway.  Then  frequently  he 
would  see  her  half  an  hour  later  looking  so  rosy 
and  happy,  that  he  could  hardly  hope  her  corres- 
pondent was  other  than  an  accepted  lover. 

For  weeks  he  tormented  himself  with  this  idea; 
the  more  convinced  that  he  was  right  in  his  con- 
jecture, because  she  almost  always  posted  her  re- 
ply with  her  own  hands,  when  going  out  for  her 
daily  walk,  or  sent  it  by  her  faithful  Chloe;  but 
oae  day,  venturing  a  jest  upon  the  subject,  she 
answered  him,  with  a  merry  laugh,  "  Ah,  you  are 
no  Yankee,  Mr.  Egerton,  to  make  such  a  guess 
as  that!  I  have  a  number  of  correspondents,  it 
is  true;  but  the  daily  letter  I  am  so  eager  for 
comes  from  my  father." 

"Is  it  possible,  Miss  Dinsmore!  do  you  really 
receive  and  answer  a  letter  from  your  father 
every  day?  " 

"  We  write  every  day,  and  each  receives  a  let- 
ter from  the  other  every  day  but  Sunday;  on  that 
day  we  never  go  or  send  to  the  post-office;  and 
we  write  only  on  such  subjects  as  are  suited  to 
the  sacredness  of  its  Sabbath  rest.  I  give  papa 
the  text  and  a  synopsis  of  the  sermon  I  have 
heard,  and  he  does  the  same  by  me." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  193 

"  You  must  be  extremely  strict  Sabbath- 
keepers." 

"  We  are,  but  not  more  so  than  the  Bible 
teaches  that  we  should  be." 

"  But  isn't  it  very  irksome?  don't  you  find  the 
day  very  long  and  tedious?" 

"  Not  at  all;  I  think  no  other  day  in  the  week 
is  quite  so  short  to  me,  none,  I  am  sure,  so  de- 
lightful." 

"  Then  it  isn't  only  because  your  aunt  is  strict 
too,  that  you  go  on  keeping  your  father's  rules, 
while  you  are  at  a  safe  distance  from  him?  "  he 
queried  in  a  half  jesting  tone. 

Elsie  turned  her  soft  eyes  full  upon  him,  as  she 
answered  with  gentle  gravity:  "  I  feel  that  the 
commands  of  both  my  earthly  and  my  heavenly 
Father  are  binding  upon  me  at  all  times,  and  ia 
all  places,  and  I  hope  I  may  ever  be  kept  from 
becoming  an  eye-servant.  Love  makes  it  easy  to 
obey,  and  God's  commands  are  not  grievous  to 
those  who  love  him." 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,"  he  said;  "  but  to  go  back 
to  the  letters,  how  can  you  fill  one  every  day  to 
your  father?  I  can  imagine  that  lovers  might,  in 
writing  to  each  other,  but  fathers  and  daughters 
would  not  be  apt  to  indulge  in  that  sort  of  non- 
sense." 

'•'  But  Mr.  Dinsmore  and  Elsie  are  no  common 
father  and  daughter,"  remarked  Lottie,  who  had 
not  spoken  for  the  last  ten  minutes. 

"  And  can  find  plenty  to  say  to  each  other," 
added  Elsie,  with  a  bright  look  and  smile. 
"  Papa  likes  to  hear  just  how  I  am  spending  my 
time,  what  I  see  in  my  walks,  what  new  plants 


194  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

and  flowers  I  find,  etc.,  etc.;  what  new  acquaint- 
ances I  make,  what  books  I  am  reading,  and  what 
I  think  of  them." 

"  The  latter  or  the  former?  "  he  asked,  resum- 
ing his  jesting  tone. 

"Both.  And  I  tell  him  almost  everything. 
Papa  is  my  confidant;  more  so  than  any  other 
person  in  the  world." 

They  were  returning  from  a  walk  over  the 
hills,  and  had  just  reached  Miss  Stanhope's  gate. 
Mr.  Egerton  opened  it  for  the  ladies,  closed  it 
after  them,  bowed  a  good-morning  and  retired, 
wondering  if  he  was  mentioned  in  those  letters 
to  Mr.  Dinsrnore,  and  cautioning  himself  to  be 
exceeding  careful  not  to  say  or  do  a  single  thing 
which,  if  reported  there,  might  be  taken  as  a 
warning  of  danger  to  the  heiress. 

The  girls  ran  into  Miss  Wealthy's  room,  and 
found  her  lamenting  over  a  white  muslin  apron. 

"What  is  it,  auntie?"  Elsie  asked. 

"  Why,  just  look  here,  child,  what  a  hole  I  have 
made  in  this!  It  had  got  an  ink-stain  on  it,  and 
Phillis  had  put  one  of  Harry's  new  shirts  into  a 
tin  basin,  and  iron-rusted  it;  so  I  thought  I  would 
try  some  citric  acid  on  them  both;  and  I  did;  but 
probably  made  it  too  strong,  and  this  is  how  it 
served  the  apron." 

"And  the  shirt?  "'asked  Lottie,  interested  for 
the  garment  she  had  helped  to  make. 

"  Well,  it's  a  comfort  I  handled  it  very  gingerly, 
and  it  seems  to  be  sound  yet,  after  I  saw  what 
this  has  come  to." 

"It  is  quite  a  pity  about  the  apron;  for  it 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  195 

really  is  a  very  pretty  one,"  said  Elsie,  "  the  acid 
must  have  been  very  strong." 

"  Yes,  and  I  am  sorry  to  have  the  apron  ruined, 
but  after  all,  I  shall  not  care  so  very  much,  if  it 
only  doesn't  eat  Harry's  tail  off,  and  it  will  make 
a  little  one  for  some  child." 

Both  girls  laughed.  It  was  impossible  to  re- 
sist the  inclination  to  do  so. 

"  The  shirt's  tail  I  mean,  of  course,  and  a  little 
apron/'  said  Miss  Wealthy,  joining  in  the  mirth; 
"  that's  where  the  spots  all  happen  to  be,  which 
is  a  comfort  in  case  a  piece  should  have  to  be 
set  in." 

"  There  comes  Lenwilla  Ellawea;  for  some  more 
light'ning,  I  suppose,  as  I  see  she  carries  a  teacup 
in  her  hand,"  whispered  Lottie,  glancing  from 
the  window,  as  a  step  sounded  upon  the  gravel 
walk.  "  Good-morning,  little  sixpence;  what  are 
you  after  now?  "  she  added  aloud,  as  the  child  ap- 
peared in  the  open  doorway. 

"Mother's  out  o'  vinegar,  and  dinner's  just 
ready,  and  the  gentleman  '11  want  some  for  his 
salad,  and  there  aint  no  time  to  send  to  the 
grocery.  And  mother  says,  will  you  lend  her  a 
teacupful,  Aunt  Wealthy?  And  she's  goin'  to 
have  some  folks  there  to-night,  and  she  says 
you're  all  to  come  over." 

"  Tell  her  we're  obliged,  and  she's  welcome  to 
the  vinegar,"  said  Miss  Stanhope,  taking  the  cup 
and  giving  it  to  Chloe  to  fill.  "  But  what  sort  of 
company  is  it  to  be?  " 

"I  dunno;  ladies  and  gentlemen,  but  no 
married  folks,  I  heard  her  say.  She's  goin'  to 


29S  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

have  nuts,  and  candies,  and  things  to  hand  round, 
and  you'd  better  come.  I  hope  that  pretty  lady 
will,"  in  a  stage  whisper,  bending  toward  Miss 
Stanhope,  as  she  spoke,  and  nodding  at  Elsie. 

All  three  laughed. 

"  Well,  I'll  try  to  coax  her,"  said  Aunt  Wealthy, 
as  Chloe  re-entered  the  room.  "  And  here's  your 
vinegar.  You'd  better  hurry  home  with  it." 

"Aunt  Wealthy,  you  can't  want  me  to  go 
there! "  cried  Elsie,  as  the  child  passed  out  of 
hearing.  "  Why,  the  woman  is  not  a  lady,  and  I 
am  sure  papa  would  be  very  unwilling  to  have  me 
make  an  associate  of  her.  He  is  very  particular 
about  such  matters." 

"  She  is  not  educated  or  very  refined,  it  is  true, 
my  child;  and  I  must  acknowledge  is  a  little  silly, 
too;  but  she  is  a  clever,  kind-hearted  woman,  a 
member  of  the  same  church  with  myself,  and  a 
near  neighbor  whom  I  should  feel  sorry  to  hurt; 
and  I  am  sure  she  would  be  much  hurt  if  you 
should  stay  away,  and  deeply  gratified  by  your 
attendance  at  her  little  party." 

"  I  wouldn't  miss  it  for  anything! "  cried 
Lottie,  pirouetting  about  the  room,  laughing  and 
clapping  her  hands;  "  she  has  such  comical  ways 
of  talking  and  acting.  I  know  it  will  be  real  fun. 
You  won't  think  of  staying  away,  Elsie?" 

"  I  really  do  not  believe  your  father  would 
object,  if  he  were  here,  my  child,"  added  Miss 
Stanhope,  laying  her  hand  on  her  niece's  shoul- 
der and  looking  at  her  with  a  kindly  persuasive 
smile. 

"  Perhaps  not,  auntie;  and  he  bade  me  obey 
you  in  his  absence;  so  if  you  bid  me,  I  will  go," 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  197 

Elsie  answered,  returning  the  smile,  and  touch- 
ing her  ruby  lips  to  the  faded  cheek. 

"  That's  a  dear/'  cried  Lottie.  "  Hold  her  to 
her  word,  Aunt  Wealthy.  And  now  I  must  run 
home,  and  see  if  Nettie's  had  an  invite,  and  what 
she's  going  to  wear." 

The  ladies  were  just  leaving  the  dinner-table, 
when  Mrs.  Schilling  came  rushing  in.  "  Oh,  ex- 
cuse my  informality  in  not  waiting  to  ring,  Miss 
Stanhope;  but  I'm  in  the  biggest  kind  of  a  hurry. 
I've  just  put  up  my  mind  to  make  some  sponge- 
cake for  to-night,  and  I  thought  I'd  best  run 
over  and  get  your  prescription;  you  always  have  so 
much  better  luck  than  me.  I  don't  know  whether 
it's  all  in  the  luck  though,  or  whether  it's  partly 
the  difference  in  prescriptions — I  know  some  fol- 
lows one,  and  some  another — and  so,  if  you'll 
let  me  have  yours,  I'll  be  a  thousand  times 
obliged." 

"  Certainly,  Mrs.  Sixpence,  you'll  be  as  many 
times  welcome,"  returned  Aunt  Wealthy,  going 
for  her  receipt-book.  "  It's  not  to  be  a  large 
party,  is  it?  "  she  asked,  coming  back. 

"  No,  ma'am,  just  a  dozen  or  so  of  the  young 
folks;  such  ladies  and  gentlemen  which  I  thought 
would  be  agreeable  to  meet  Miss  Dinsmore.  I 
hope  you'll  both  be  over  and  bright  and  early  too; 
for  I've  heard  say  you  don't  never  keep  very  late 
hours,  Mise  Dinsmore." 

"  No,  papa  does  not  approve  of  them;  not  for 
me  at  least.  He  is  so  careful  of  me,  so  anxious 
that  I  should  keep  my  health." 

"  Well,  I'm  sure  that's  all  right  and  kind.  But 
yoirll  come,  both  of  you,  won't  you?  "  And  re- 


198  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

ceiving  an  assurance  that  such  was  their  inten- 
tion, she  hurried  away  as  fast  as  she  had  come. 

"  I  wonder  she  cares  to  make  a  party  when  she 
must  do  all  the  work  of  preparing  for  it  herself," 
said  Elsie,  looking  after  her  as  she  sped  across 
the  lawn. 

"  She  is  strong  and  healthy,  and  used  to  work; 
and  doubtless  feels  that  it  will  be  some  honor  and 
glory  to  be  able  to  boast  of  having  entertained  the 
Southern  heiress  who  is  visiting  Lansdale,"  Miss 
Stanhope  answered  in  a  half-jesting  tone. 

Elsie  looked  amused,  then  grave,  as  she  replied: 
"  It  is  rather  humbling  to  one's  pride  to  be  valued 
merely  or  principally  on  account  of  one's  wealth.'"' 

"  Yes;  but,  dearie,  those  who  know  you  don't 
value  you  for  that,  but  for  your  own  dear,  lovable 
self.  My  darling,  your  old  aunt  is  growing  very 
fond  of  you,  and  can  hardly  bear  to  think  how 
soon  your  father  will  be  coming  to  carry  you 
away  again,"  she  added,  twinkling  away  a  tear, 
as  she  took  the  soft,  white  hand,  and  pressed  it 
affectionately  in  both  her  own. 

"  And  I  shall  be  so  sorry  to  leave  you,  auntie. 
I  wish  we  could  carry  you  away  with  us.  I  have 
so  often  thought  how  happy  my  friend  Lucy  Car- 
rington  ought  to  be  in  having  such  a  nice  grand- 
ma. I  have  never  had  one,  you  know;  for  papa's 
stepmother  would  never  own  me  for  her  grand- 
child; but  you  seem  to  be  the  very  one  I  have 
always  longed  for." 

"  Thank  you,  dear,"  and  Miss  Stanhope  sighed 
slightly.  "  Had  your  own  grandmother,  my 
sweet  and  dear  sister  Eva,  been  spared  to  this 
time,  you  would  have  had  one  to  love  and  be 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  199 

proud  of.  Now,  do  you  want  to  take  a  siesta? 
you  must  feel  tired  after  this  morning's  long 
tramp,  I  should  think,  and  I  want  you  to  be  very 
bright  and  fresh  to-night,  that  it  may  not  harm 
you  if  you  should  happen  to  be  kept  up  a  little 
later  than  usual.  You  see  I  want  to  take  such 
care  of  you,  that  when  your  father  comes  he  can 
see  only  improvement  in  you,  and  feel  willing  to 
let  me  have  you  again  some  day." 

"  Thank  you,  you  dear  old  auntie! "  Elsie  an- 
swered, giving  her  a  hug.  '*  I'm  sure  even  he 
could  hardly  be  more  kindly  careful  of  me  than 
you  are.  But  I  am  not  very  tired,  and  sitting  in 
an  easy-chair  will  give  me  all  the  rest  I  need. 
Haven't  you  some  work  for  me?  I've  done  noth- 
ing but  enjoy  myself  in  the  most  idle  fashion  all 
day." 

"  No,  my  sewing's  all  done  now  that  the  shirts 
are  finished.  But  I  must  lie  down  whether  you 
will  or  not.  I  can't  do  without  my  afternoon 
nap." 

"  Yes,  do,  auntie;  and  I  shall  begin  to-morrow's 
letter  to  papa;  finishing  it  in  the  morning  with 
an  account  of  the  party." 

She  was  busy  with  her  writing  when  Lottie 
burst  in  upon  her. 

"  I  ran  in,"  she  said,  "  to  propose  that  we  all 
go  over  there  together,  and  to  ask  you  to  come 
into  our  house  when  you're  dressed.  Nettie  and 
I  are  going  to  try  a  new  style  of  doing  up  our  hair, 
and  we  want  your  opinion  about  its  becoming- 
ness." 

"  111  be  happy  to  give  it  for  what  it  is  worth." 

"  By  the  way,  I  admire  your  style  extremely; 


200  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

but  of  course  no  one  conld  imitate  it  who  was  not 
blessed  with  a  heavy  suit  of  natural  curls.  You 
always  wear  it  one  way,  don't  you?  " 

"  Yes,  papa  likes  it  so,  but  until  within  the 
last  year,  he  would  not  let  me  have  it  in  a  comb 
at  all." 

She  wore  it  now  gathered  into  a  loose  knot  be- 
hind, and  falling  over  a  comb,  in  a  rich  mass  of 
shining  curls,  while  in  front  it  waved  and  rippled 
above  her  white  forehead,  or  fell  over  it,  in  soft, 
tiny,  golden  brown  rings. 

"  It  is  so  beautiful!  "  continued  Lottie,  passing 
her  hand  caressingly  over  it;  "and  so  is  its 
wearer.  Oh,  if  I  were  only  a  gentleman! " 

"  You  don't  wish  it,"  said  Elsie,  laughing.  "  I 
don't  believe  a  real,  womanly  woman  ever  does.'* 

"You  don't,  hey?  Well,  I  must  go;  for  I've  a 
lot  to  do  to  Lot  King's  wearing  apparel.  Adieu, 
mon  cher.  Nay,  don't  disturb  yourself  to  come 
to  the  door." 

Elsie  came  down  to  tea  ready  dressed  for  the 
evening,  in  simple  white,  with  a  white  rose  in  her 
hair. 

"  I  like  your  taste  in  dress,  child,"  said  Aumt 
Wealthy,  regarding  her  with  affectionate  admira- 
tion. "  The  rose  in  your  hair  is  lovely,  and  you 
seem  to  me  like  a  fresh,  fair,  sweet  flower,  your- 
self." 

"  Ah,  how  pleasant  it  is  to  be  loved,  auntie,  for 
love  always  sees  through  rose-colored  spectacles," 
answered  the  young  girl  gayly. 

"I  promised  Lottie  to  run  in  there  for  a  mo- 
ment to  give  my  opinion  about  their  appearance," 
she  said,  as  they  rose  from  the  table.  "  I'll  not 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD  201 

be  gone  long;  and  they're  to  come  in  and  go  with 
us." 

She  found  her  friends  in  the  midst  of  their 
hair-dressing. 

"Isn't  it  a  bore?"  cried  Lottie.  "How  for- 
tunate you  are  in  never  having  to  do  this  for 
yourself." 

"  Why,"  said  Elsie,  "  I  was  just  admiring  your 
independence,  and  feeling  ashamed  of  my  own 
helplessness." 

"  Did  you  ever  try  it,"  asked  Nettie;  "  doing 
your  own  hair,  I  mean?" 

"  No,  never." 

"  Did  yon  ever  dress  yourself?  " 

"  No,  I  own  that  I  have  never  so  much  as  put 
on  my  own  shoes  and  stockings,"  Elsie  answered 
with  a  blush,  really  mortified  at  the  thought. 

"  Well,  it  is  rather  nice  to  .be  able  to  help  your- 
self," remarked  Lottie  complacently.  "  There! 
mine's  done;  what  do  you  think  of  it,  Miss  Dins- 
more?" 

"  That  it  is  very  pretty  and  extremely  becom- 
ing. Girls,  mammy  will  dress  your  hair  for  you 
at  any  time,  if  you  wish." 

"  Oh,  a  thousand  thanks! "  exclaimed  Nettie. 
"  Do  you  think  she  would  be  willing  to  come  over 
and  do  mine  now?  I  really  can't  get  it  to  suit 
me,  and  I  know  Lot  wants  to  put  on  her  dress." 

"  Yee,  I'll  go  back  and  send  her." 

"  Oh,  no;  don't  go  }^et;  can't  we  send  for  her?  " 

"  That  would  do;  but  I  told  Aunt  Wealthy  I 
wouldn't  stay  long;  so  I  think  I'd  better  go.  Per- 
haps 1  can  be  of  use  to  her." 

*  I  don't  believe  she'll  need  any  help  with  hei 


202  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD 

toilet,"  said  Lottie,  "  she  does  it  all  her  own  way; 
but  I  daresay  she  grudges  every  minute  of  your 
company.  I  know  I  should.  Isn't  she  sweet  and 
lovely,  and  good  as  she  can  be?  "  she  added  to  her 
sister  as  Elsie  left  the  room. 

"  Yes,  and  how  tastefully  she  dresses;  every- 
thing is  rich  and  beautiful,  yet  so  simply  elegant; 
what  magnificent  lace  she  wears,  and  what  jew- 
elry; yet  not  a  bit  too  much  of  either." 

"And  she  knows  all  about  harmony  of  colors, 
and  what  suits  her  style;  though  I  believe  she 
would  look  well  in  anything." 

There  was  a  communicating  gate  between  Dr. 
King's  grounds  and  Miss  Stanhope's,  and  Elsie 
gained  her  aunt's  house  by  crossing  the  two  gar- 
dens. As  she  stepped  upon  the  porch,  she  saw 
Mr.  Egerton  standing  before  the  door. 

"  Good-evening,  Miss  Dinsmore,"  he  said,  bow- 
ing and  smiling.  "  I  was  just  about  to  ring;  but 
I  presume  that  is  not  necessary  now." 

"No,  not  at  all.  Walk  into  the  parlor,  and 
help  yourself  to  a  seat.  And  if  you  will  please 
excuse  me  I  shall  be  there  in  a  moment." 

"  I  came  to  ask  if  I  might  have  the  pleasure  of 
escorting  you  to  the  party,"  he  said  laughingly, 
as  she  returned  from  giving  Chloe  her  directions, 
and  asking  if  her  aunt  needed  any  assistance. 

"  Thank  you;  but  you  are  taking  unnecessary 
trouble,"  she  answered  gayly,  "  since  it  is  only 
across  the  street,  and  there  are  four  of  us  to  keep 
each  other  company." 

"The  Misses  King  are  going  with  you?" 

"  Yes;  they  are  not  quite  ready  yet;  but  it  is 
surely  too  early  to  think  of  going?  " 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  203 

"  A  little;  but  Mrs.  Schilling  is  anxious  to  see 
you  as  soon  as  possible;  particularly  as  she  under- 
stands there  is  no  hope  of  keeping  you  after  ten 
o'clock.  Do  you  really  always  observe  such  early 
hours  ?  " 

"  As  a  rule,  yes.  I  believe  the  medical  authori- 
ties agree  that  it  is  the  way  to  retain  one's  youth 
and  health." 

"And  beauty,"  he  added,  with  an  admiring 
glance  at  her  blooming  face. 

"  I  do  believe  we  shall  be  almost  the  first;  very 
unfashionably  early,"  remarked  Nettie  King,  as 
their  little  party  crossed  the  street. 

"We  are  not  the  first,  I  have  seen  several  go 
in,"  rejoined  Aunt  Wealthy,  as  Mr.  Egerton  held 
open  the  gate  for  them  to  pass  in. 

Mrs.  Schilling  in  gay  attire,  streamers  flying, 
cheeks  glowing,  and  eyes  beaming  with  delight, 
met  them  at  the  door,  and  invited  them  to 
enter. 

"  Oh,  ladies,  good-evening.  How  do  you  all 
do?  I'm  powerful  glad  you  came  so  early.  Walk 
right  into  the  parlor." 

She  ushered  them  in  as  she  spoke,  Four  or 
five  young  misses  were  standing  about  the  centre- 
table,  looking  at  prints,  magazines,  and  photo- 
graphs, while  Lenwilla  Ellawea,  arrayed  in  her 
Sunday  best,  had  ensconced  herself  in  a  large 
cushioned  rocking-chair;  she  was  leaning  lazily 
back  in  it,  and  stretching  out  her  feet  in  a  way  to 
show  her  shoes  and  stockings  to  full  advantage. 
Mrs.  Schilling  had  singular  taste  in  dress.  The 
child  wore  a  Swiss  muslin  over  a  red  flannel  skirt, 


204  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

and  her  lower  limbs  were  encased  in  black  stock- 
ings and  blue  shoes. 

"Daughter  Lenwilla  Ellawea,  subside  that 
chair! '  exclaimed  the  mother,  with  a  wave  of  her 
hand.  "  You  should  know  better  than  to  take 
the  best  seat,  when  ladies  are  standing.  Miss 
Stanhope,  do  me  the  honor  to  take  that  chair.  I 
assure  you,  you  will  find  it  most  commodious. 
Take  a  seat  on  the  sofy,  Miss  Dinsmore,  and — ah, 
that  is  right,  Mr.  Egerton,  you  know  how  to  at- 
tend to  the  ladies." 

Greetings  and  introductions  were  exchanged; 
an  uncomfortable  pause  followed,  then  a  young 
lady,  with  a  magazine  open  on  the  table  before 
her,  broke  the  silence  by  remarking:  "  What  sweet 
verses  these  are! " 

"Yes,"  said  Mrs.  Schilling,  looking  over  her 
shoulder,  "  I  quite  agree  in  that  sentiment.  In- 
deed, she's  mv  favorite  author." 

"Who?"  asked  Mr.  Egerton. 

"  Anon." 

"Ah!  does  she  write  much  for  that  period- 
ical?" he  asked,  with  assumed  gravity. 

"  Oh,  yes,  she  has  a  piece  in  nearly  every  num- 
ber; sometimes  two  of  'em" 

"  That's  my  pap,  that  is,"  said  Lenwilla  Ellawea, 
addressing  a  second  young  lady,  who  was  slowly 
turning  the  leaves  of  a  photograph  album. 

"Is  it?" 

"  Yes,  and  we've  got  two  or  three  other  picters 
of  him." 

"Photographs,  Lenwilla  Ellawea/'  corrected 
her  mother.  "  Yes,  we've  got  several.  Miss 
Stanhope,  do  you  know  there's  a  sculpture  in 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  205 

town?  and  what  do  you  think?    He  wants  to 
make  a  basque  relief  out  o'  one  o'  them  photo- 
graphs of  my  'Lijah.     But  I  don't  know  as  I'll 
let  him.     Would  you?  " 

A  smile  trembled  about  the  corners  of  Elsie's 
lips,  and  she  carefully  avoided  the  glance  of  Lot- 
tie's eyes,  which  she  knew  were  dancing  with  fun, 
while  there  was  a  half -suppressed  titter  from  the 
girls  at  the  table. 

"  I  really  can't  say  I  understand  exactly  what 
it  is,"  sai<J  Aunt  Wealthy  dubiously. 

"  What  sort  of  looking  creature  is  a  sculpture, 
Mrs.  Schilling?  "  asked  Mr.  Egerton. 

"Excuse  me;  there's  some  more  company 
coming,"  she  answered,  hurrying  from  the 
room. 

"  My  good  landlady  is  really  quite  an  amusing 
person,"  he  observed  in  an  aside  to  Elsie,  near  to 
whom  he  had  seated  himself. 

She  made  no  response.  The  newly-arrived 
guests  were  being  ushered  in,  and  there  were 
fresh  greetings  and  introductions  to  be  gone 
through  with.  Then  conversation  became  quite 
brisk,  and  after  a  little,  it  seeming  to  be  under- 
stood that  all  invited,  or  expected,  were  present 
some  one  proposed  playing  games.  They  tried 
several  of  the  quieter  kind,  then  Lottie  King  pro- 
posed "  Stage-coach." 

"  Lot  likes  that  because  she's  a  regular  romp,'* 
said  her  sister. 

"  And  because  she  tells  the  story  so  well;  she's 
just  splendid  at  it! "  cried  two  or  three  voices. 
"  Will  you  take  that  part  if  we  agree  to  play  it?  ** 

"  Yes,  if  no  one  else  wants  it." 


206  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"No  danger  of  that.  We'll  play  it.  Miss 
Dinsmore,  will  you  take  part?" 

"  Thank  you;  I  never  heard  of  the  game  before, 
and  should  not  know  what  to  do." 

"  Oh,  it's  easy  to  understand.  Each  player — 
except  the  story-teller — takes  the  name  of  some 
part  of  the  stage-coach,  or  something  connected 
with  it; — one  is  the  wheels,  another  the  window, 
another  the  whip,  another  the  horses,  driver,  and 
so  on,  and  so  on.  After  all  are  named  and  seated 
— leaving  one  of  their  number  out,  and  no  va- 
cancy in  the  circle — the  one  left  out  stands  in  the 
centre,  and  begins  a  story,  in  which  he  or  she 
introduces  the  names  chosen  by  the  others  as 
often  as  possible.  Each  must  be  on  the  qui  vive, 
and  the  instant  his  name  is  pronounced,  jump  up, 
turn  round  once  and  sit  down  again.  If  he  neg- 
lects to  do  so,  he  has  to  pay  a  forfeit.  If  the 
word  stage-coach  is  pronounced,  all  spring  up  and 
change  seats;  the  story-teller  securing  one,  if  he 
can  and  leaving  some  one  else  to  try  his  hand  at 
that." 

Lottie  acquitted  herself  well;  Mr.  Egerton  fol- 
lowed, doing  even  better;  then  Aunt  Wealthy  was 
the  one  left  out,  and  with  her  crooked  sentences 
and  backward  or  opposite  rendering  of  names 
caused  shouts  of  merriment.  The  selling  of  the 
forfeits  which  followed  was  no  less  mirth-provok- 
ing. Then  the  refreshments  Avere  brought  in; 
first,  several  kinds  of  cake — the  sponge  and  the 
farmers'  fruit-cake,  made  after  Miss  Stanhope's 
prescription,  as  Mrs.  Schilling  informed  her 
guests,  and  one  or  two  other  sorts.  Elsie  de- 


ELSIE "8  GIRLHOOD.  207 

dined  them  all,  saying  that  she  never  ate  any- 
thing in  the  evening. 

"  Oh,  now  that's  too  bad,  Miss  Dinsmore!  do 
take  a  little  bit  of  something,"  urged  her  hostess; 
"  I  shall  feel  real  hurt  if  you  don't;  it  looks  just  af 
if  you  didn't  think  my  victuals  good  enough  foi 
you  to  eat." 

"Indeed  you  must  not  think  that,"  repliec 
Elsie,  blushing  deeply.  "  Your  cake  looks  ver} 
nice,  but  I  always  decline  evening  refreshments; 
and  that  solely  because  of  the  injury  it  would  be 
to  my  health  to  indulge  in  them." 

"  Why,  you  aint  delicate,  are  you?  You  don't 
look  so;  you've  as  healthy  a  color  as  ever  I  see; 
not  a  bit  like  as  though  you  had  the  dyspepsy." 

"  No,  I  have  never  had  a  touch  of  dyspepsia, 
and  I  think  my  freedom  from  it  is  largely  owing 
to  papa's  care  of  me  in  regard  to  what  I  eat  and 
when.  He  has  never  allowed  me  to  eat  cake  in 
the  evening." 

"Well,  I  do  say!  you're  the  best  girl  to  mind 
your  pa  that  ever  I  see!  But  you're  growed  up 
now — 'most  of  age,  I  should  judge — and  I  reckon 
you've  a  sort  o'  right  to  decide  such  little  matters 
for  yourself.  I  don't  believe  a  bit  o'  either  of 
these  would  hurt  you  a  mite;  and  if  it  should 
make  you  a  little  out  o'  sorts  just  you  take  a  dose 
of  spirits  of  pneumonia.  That's  my  remedy  for 
sick  stomic,  and  it  cures  me  right  up,  it  does." 

Elsie  smiled,  but  again  gently  but  firmly  de- 
clined. "  Please  don't  tempt  me  any  more,  Mrs. 
Schilling,"  she  said;  "  for  it  is  a  temptation,  I 
assure  you." 


208  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"Well,  p'raps  you'll  like  the  next  course  bet- 
ter," rejoined  her  hostess,  moving  on. 

"  She's  a  splendid  cook  and  the  cake  is  really 
nice,"  remarked  Lottie  King  in  a  low  tone,  close 
at  her  friend's  side. 

"  Yes,  Miss  Dinsmore,  you'd  better  try  a  little 
of  it;  I  don't  believe  it  would  hurt  you,  even  so 
much  as  to  call  for  the  spirits  of  pneumonia,"  said 
Egerton,  laughing. 

"  Oh,  look! "  whispered  Lottie,  her  eyes  twin- 
kling with  merriment,  "  here  comes  the  second 
course  served  up  in  the  most  original  style." 

Mrs.  Schilling  had  disappeared  for  a  moment, 
to  return  bearing  a  wooden  bucket  filled  with  a 
mixture  of  candies,  raisins  and  almonds,  and  was 
passing  it  around  among  her  guests,  inviting  each 
to  take  a  handful. 

"  Now,  Miss  Dinsmore,  you  won't  refuse  to  try 
a  few  of  these?"  she  said  persuasively,  as  she 
neared  their  corner,  "  I  shall  be  real  disappointed 
if  you  do." 

"I  am  very  sorry  to  decline  your  kind  offer, 
even  more  for  my  own  sake  than  yours,"  re- 
turned Elsie,  laughing  and  blushing;  "  for  I  am 
extremely  fond  of  confectionery;  but  I  must  say 
no,  thank  you." 

"  Mr.  Egerton,  do  you  think  'twas  because  my 
cakes  and  things  wasn't  good  enough  for  her 
that  she  wouldn't  taste  'em?  "  asked  his  landlady, 
in  an  aggrieved  tone,  as  the  last  of  the  guests 
departed. 

Elsie  had  gone  an  hour  before,  he  having  had 
the  pleasure  of  escorting  her  and  Miss  Stanhope 
across  the  street,  leaving  them  at  their  own  door; 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

but  he  did  not  need  to  ask  whom  Mrs.  Schil- 
ling meant. 

"  Oh,  no,  not  at  all,  my  good  woman! "  he  an- 
swered. "  It  was  nothing  but  filial  obedience 
joined  to  the  fear  of  losing  ker  exuberant  health. 
Very  wise,  too,  though  your  refreshments  were 
remarkably  nice." 

'•'Poor  Mrs.  Sixpence/'  Lottie  King  was  say- 
ing to  her  sister  at  that  moment,  "  she  whis- 
pered to  me  that  though  her  party  had  gone  off 
so  splendidly,  she  had  had  two  great  disappoint- 
ments,— in  Mr.  Wert's  absenting  himself,  and  the 
refusal  of  the  Southern  heiress  to  so  much  as 
taste  her  carefully  prepared  dainties." 


CHAPTER  XV. 

A  goodly  apple  rotten  at  the  heart ; 
O  what  a  goodly  outside  falsehood  hath  I 
—SHAKESPEARE'S  "MERCHANT  OF  VENICE." 

IN  mental  power,  education,  good  looks* 
courtly  manners,  and  general  information  Mr. 
Egerton  was  decidedly  superior  to  any  of  the 
young  men  resident  in  Lansdale;  and  of  this  fact 
no  one  was  better  aware  than  himself.  He  did 
not  confine  his  attentions  to  Elsie,  and  soon  found 
himself  a  prime  favorite  among  the  ladies  of  the 
town.  No  female  coquette  ever  coveted  the  ad- 
miration of  the  other  sex  more  than  he,  or  sought 
more  assiduously  to  gain  it.  He  carried  on  nu- 
merous small  flirtations  among  the  belles  of  the 
place,  yet  paid  court  to  Elsie  much  oftener  than 
to  any  one  else,  using  every  art  of  which  he  was 
master  in  the  determined  effort  to  win  her  affec- 
tion and  to  make  himself  necessary  to  her  happi- 
ness. 

He  had  read  many  books  and  seen  much  of 
life,  having  travelled  all  over  our  own  country, 
and  visited  both  Europe  and  South  America;  and 
possessing  a  retentive  memory,  fine  descriptive 
powers,  a  fund  of  humor,  and  a  decided  talent 
for  mimicry,  was  able,  when  he  chose,  to  make 
his  conversation  exceedingly  amusing  and  inter- 
esting, and  very  instructive.  Also,  he  seemed  all 
that  was  good  and  noble,  and  she  soon  gave  him 
210 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  211 

ft  very  warm  place  in  her  regard;  much  warmer 
than  she  herself  at  first  suspected. 

According  to  his  own  account — and  probably 
it  was  the  truth — Bromly  Egerton  had  had  many 
hair-breadth  escapes  from  sudden  and  violent 
death.  He  was  telling  of  one  of  these  in  which 
he  had  risked  and  nearly  lost  his  life  from  mere 
love  of  adventure.  Elsie  shuddered,  and  drew  a 
long  breath  of  relief,  as  the  story  reached  its 
close, 

"  Does  it  frighten  you  to  hear  of  such  things?  " 
he  asked,  with  a  smile. 

"  Yes,  it  seems  to  me  a  dreadful  thing  to  risk 
the  loss  of  one's  life,  when  there  is  no  good  to 
ourselves  or  others  to  be  gained  by  it." 

"  Ah,  if  you  were  a  man  or  boy  you  would  un- 
derstand that  more  than  half  the  charm  of  such 
adventures  lies  in  the  risk." 

"  But  is  it  right,  or  wise?  " 

"  A  mere  matter  of  taste,  or  choice,  I  should 
say — a  long  dull  life,  or  a  short  and  lively  one/' 

Elsie's  face  had  grown  very  grave.  "  Are  those 
really  your  sentiments,  Mr. Egerton?  "she  asked, 
in  a  pained,  disappointed  tone.  "  I  had  thought 
better  of  you." 

"  I  do  not  understand;  have  I  said  anything 
very  dreadful?" 

"  Is  it  not  a  sin  to  throw  away  the  life  which 
God  has  giveh  us  to  be  used  in  His  service?  " 

"  Ah,  perhaps  that  may  be  so;  but  I  had  not 
looked  at  it  in  precisely  that  way.  I  had  only 
thought  of  the  fact  that  life  in  this  world  is  not 
BO  very  delightful  that  one  need  be  anxious  to 
continue  it  for  a  hundred  years.  We  grow  tired 


812  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

of  it  at  times,  and  are  almost  ready  to  throw  it 
away;  to  use  your  expression." 

<c  Ah,  before  doing  that  we  should  be  very  sure 
of  going  to  a  better  place." 

"  But  how  can  we  be  sure  of  that,  or,  indeed, 
of  anything?  What  is  there  that  we  know  ab- 
solutely, and  beyond  question?  how  can  I  be  sure 
of  even  my  own  existence?  how  do  I  know  that 
I  am  what  I  believe  myself  to  be?  There  are 
crazy  men  who  firmly  believe  themselves  kings 
and  princes,  or  something  else  quite  as  far  from 
the  truth;  and  how  do  I  know  that  I  am  not  as 
much  mistaken  as  they?  " 

She  gave  him  a  look  of  grieved  surprise,  and  he 
laughingly  asked,  "  Well,  now,  Miss  Dinsmore, 
is  there  anything  of  which  you  really  are  abso- 
lutely certain?  or  you,  Miss  King? "  as  Lottie 
drew  near  the  log  on  which  the  two  were  seated. 

They  had  taken  a  long  ramble  through  the 
•woods  that  morning,  and  Egerton  and  Elsie  had 
some  ten  minutes  before  sat  down  here  to  rest 
and  wait  for  their  companions,  who  had  wan- 
dered a  little  from  the  path  they  were  pursu- 
ing. 

"  Cogito,  ergo  sum,"  she  answered  gayly. 
"Also  I  am  sure  we  have  had  a  very  pleasant 
walk.  But  isn't  it  time  we  were  moving  toward 
home?  " 

"  Yes,"  Elsie  answered,  consulting  her  watch. 

"  That's  a  pretty  little  thing,"  observed  Eger- 
ton. "  May  I  look  at  it?  "  And  he  held  out  his 
hand. 

"  One  of  papa's  birthday  gifts  to  his  petted 
only  daughter,"  she  said,  with  a  smile,  as  she  al- 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  213 

lowed  him  to  take  it.  "I  value  it  very  highly 
on  that  account  even  more  than  for  its  intrinsic 
worth;  though  it  is  an  excellent  time-keeper." 

"  It  must  have  cost  a  pretty  penny;  the  pearls 
and  diamonds  alone  must  be  worth  quite  a  sum," 
he  said,  turning  it  about  and  examining  it  with 
eager  interest.  "  I  would  be  careful,  Miss  Dins- 
more,  how  I  let  it  be  known  that  I  carried  any- 
thing so  valuable  about  me,  or  wore  it  into  lonely 
places,  such  as  these  woods/'  he  added,  as  he  re- 
turned it  to  her. 

"  I  never  come  out  alone,"  she  said,  looking 
slightly  anxious  and  troubled;  "papa  laid  his 
commands  upon  me  never  to  do  so;  but  I  shall 
leave  it  at  home  in  future." 

"Riches  bring  cares;  that's  the  way  I  comfort 
myself  in  my  poverty,"  remarked  Lottie,  lightly. 
"But,  Elsie,  my  dear,  don't  allow  anxious  fears 
to  disturb  you;  we  are  a  very  moral  people  at  Lans- 
dale;  I  never  heard  of  a  robbery  there  yet." 

"  I  believe  I  am  naturally  rather  timid,"  said 
Elsie,  "  yet  I  seldom  suffer  from  fear.  I  always 
feel  very  safe  when  papa  is  near  to  protect  me, 
and  our  Heavenly  Father's  care  is  always  about 
,us." 

"  That  reminds  me  that  you  have  not  an- 
swered my  question,"  remarked  Egerton,  switch- 
ing off  the  head  of  a  clover-blossom  with  his  cane. 
"Is  the  care  you  speak  of  one  thing  of  which 
you  feel  certain?  " 

"  Yes,  and  there  are  others." 

"May  I  ask  what?" 

She  turned  her  sweet,  soft  eyes  full  upon  him 
as  she  answered  in  low,  clear  tones,  "  '  I  know  that 


214  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

in  me  (that  is,  in  my  flesh)  dwelleth  no  good 
thing.'  '  I  know  that  my  Kedeemer  liveth.'  '  I 
know  that  it  shall  be  well  with  them  that  fear 
God/  " 

"You  are  quoting?" 

"  Yes,  from  a  book  that  I  know  is  true.  Do 
you  doubt  it,  Mr.  Egerton?  " 

"  Why,  Miss  Dinsmore,  you  do  not  take  me  for 
an  infidel,  surely?" 

"  No,  until  to-day  I  had  hoped  you  were  a 
Christian." 

Her  eyes  were  downcast  now,  and  there  were 
tears  in  her  voice  as  she  spoke.  He  saw  he  had 
made  a  false  step  and  lowered  himself  in  her 
esteem,  yet,  remembering  his  talk  with  Arthur, 
he  felt  certain  he  could  more  than  retrieve  that 
error.  And  he  grew  exultant  in  the  thought  of 
the  evident  pain  the  discovery  of  his  unbelief  had 
caused  her.  "  She  does  care  for  me;  I  believe  the 
prize  is  even  now  almost  within  my  reach,"  he 
said  to  himself,  as  they  silently  pursued  their 
way  into  the  town,  no  one  speaking  again  until 
they  parted  at  Miss  Stanhope's  gate. 

Elsie,  usually  full  of  innocent  mirth  and  glad- 
ness, was  very  quiet  at  dinner  that  day,  and  Aunt 
Wealthy,  watching  her  furtively,  thought  she 
noticed  an  unwonted  shade  of  sadness  on  the  fair 
face. 

"What  is  it,  dear?"  she  asked  at  length; 
"  something  seems  to  have  gone  wrong  with  you." 

The  young  girl  replied  by  repeating  the  sub- 
stance of  the  morning's  talk  with  Mr.  Egerton, 
and  expressing  her  disappointment  at  the  dis« 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  21i 

covery  that  he  was  not  the  Christian  man  she  had 
taken  him  to  be. 

"  Perhaps  what  you  have  taken  in  earnest,  was 
but  spoken  in  jest,  my  child,"  said  Miss  Stan- 
hope. 

"  Ah,  auntie,  but  a  Christian  surely  could  no£ 
say  such  things  even  ^n  jest,"  she  answered,  with 
a  little  sigh,  and  a  look  of  sorrowful  concern  on 
her  face. 

Half  an  hour  later,  Elsie  sat  reading  in  the 
abode  of  the  vine-covered  porch,  while  her  aunt 
enjoyed  her  customary  after-dinner  nap.  She 
presently  heard  the  gate  swing  to,  and  the  next 
moment  Mr.  Egerton  was  helping  himself  to  a 
seat  by  her  side. 

"I  hope  I  don't  intrude,  Miss  Dinsmore,"  he 
began,  assuming  a  slightly  embarrassed  air. 

"  Oh,  no,  not  at  all,"  she  answered,  closing  her 
book;  "  but  aunt  is  lying  down,  and " 

"  Ah,  no  matter;  I  wouldn't  have  her  disturbed 
for  the  world;  and  in  fact  I  am  rather  glad  of  the 
opportunity  of  seeing  you  alone.  I — I  have  been 
thinking  a  good  deal  of  that  talk  we  had  this 
morning,  and — I  am  really  quite  shocked  at  the 
sentiments  I  then  expressed,  though  they  were 
spoken  more  than  half  in  jest.  Miss  Dinsmore, 
I  am  not  a  Christian,  but — but  I  want  to  be,  and 
would,  if  I  only  knew  how;  and  I've  come  to  you 
to  learn  the  way;  for  somehow  I  seem  to  feel  that 
you  could  make  the  thing  plainer  to  me  than  any 
one  else.  What  must  I  do  first?  " 

Glad  tears  shone  in  the  soft  eyes  she  lifted  to 
his  face  as  she  answered,  " '  Believe  on  the  Lord 


216  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

Jesus  Christ  and  thou  shalt  be  saved/  Believe^ 
'  only  believe.' " 

"  But  I  must  do  something?  " 

" '  Let  the  wicked  forsake  his  way  and  the  un- 
righteous man  his  thoughts,  and  let  him  return 
unto  the  Lord,  and  He  will  have  mercy  upon  him, 
and  to  our  God,  for  He  will  abundantly  pardon.'  " 

The  man  was  an  arrant  knave  and  hypocrite, 
simulating  anxiety  about  his  soul's  salvation  only 
for  the  purpose  of  ingratiating  himself  with  El- 
sie; but  "  the  sword  of  the  spirit,  which  is  the 
word  of  God,"  pricked  him  for  the  moment,  as 
she  wielded  it  in  faith  and  prayer.  What  ways, 
what  thoughts  were  his!  Truly  they  had  need  to 
be  forsaken  if  he  would  hope  ever  to  see  that  holy 
city  of  which  we  are  told  "  There  shall  in  no  wise 
enter  it  anything  that  defileth,  neither  whatsoever 
worketh  abomination,  or  maketh  a  lie." 

For  a  moment  he  sat  silent  and  abashed  before 
the  gentle,  earnest  young  Christian,  feeling  her 
very  purity  a  reproach,  and  fearing  that  she  must 
read  his  hypocrisy  and  the  baseness  of  his  motives 
in  his  countenance. 

But  hers  was  a  most  innocent  and  unsuspicious 
nature,  apt  to  believe  others  as  true  and  honest 
as  herself.  She  went  on  presently.  "  It  is  so 
beautifully  simple  and  easy, — God's  way  of  sav- 
ing us  poor  sinners:  it  is  its  very  simplicity  that 
so  stumbles  wise  men  and  women,  while  little 
children,  in  their  sweet  trustfulness,  just  taking 
God  at  His  word,  understand  it  without  any  diffi- 
culty." She  spoke  in  a  musing  tone,  not  looking 
at  Egerton  at  all,  but  with  her  eyes  fixed  medi- 
tatingly  upon  the  floor. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  217 

He  perceived  that  she  had  no  doubts  of  his  sin- 
cerity^ and  rallying  from  the  thrust  she  had  so 
unconsciously  given  him,  went  on  with  the  role 
he  had  laid  down  for  himself. 

"I  fear  I  am  one  of  the  wise  ones  you  speak 
of,  for  I  confess  I  do  not  see  the  way  yet.  Can 
you  not  explain  it  more  fully?  " 

"  I  will  try/'  she  said.  "  You  believe  that  you 
are  a  sinner  deserving  of  God's  wrath?  " 

"Yes." 

"  You  have  broken  His  law,  and  His  justice 
demands  your  punishment;  but  Jesus  has  kept 
its  requirements  and  borne  its  penalty  in  your 
stead,  and  now  offers  you  his  righteousness  and 
salvation  as  a  free  gift, — '  without  money  and 
without  price.' " 

"But  what  ami  to  do?" 

"  Simply  take  the  offered  gift." 

"But  how?  I  fear  I  must  seem  very  obtuse, 
but  I  really  do  not  comprehend." 

"  Then  ask  for  the  teachings  of  the  Spirit;  ask 
Jesus  to  give  you  repentance  and  faith.  '  Ask, 
and  it  shall  be  given  you;  seek,  and  ye  shall  find; 
knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you;  for  every 
one  that  asketh  receiveth;  and  he  that  seeketh, 
findeth;  and  to  him  that  knocketh,  it  shall  be 
opened." 

Elsie's  voice  was  low  and  pleading,  her  tones 
were  tremulous  with  earnest  entreaty,  the  eyes 
she  lifted  to  his  face  were  half  filled  with  tears; 
for  she  felt  that  the  eternal  interests  of  her 
hearer  were  trembling  in  the  balance. 

He  looked  at  her  admiringly,  and,  lost  in  the 
contemplation  of  her  beauty,  had  almost  betrayed 


218  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

himself  by  his  want  of  interest  in  what  she  was 
saying.  But  just  then  Miss  Stanhope  joined 
them,  and  shortly  after  he  took  his  leave. 

From  this  time  Egerton  played  his  part  with 
consummate  skill,  deceiving  Elsie  so  completely 
that  she  had  not  the  slightest  doubt  of  his  being 
an  humble,  penitent,  rejoicing  believer;  and  great 
were  her  joy  and  thankfulness  when  he  told  her 
that  she  had  been  the  means  of  leading  him  to 
Christ;  that  her  words  had  made  the  way  plain 
to  him,  as  he  had  never  been  able  to  see  it  before. 
It  seemed  to  her  a  very  tender,  strong  tte  between 
them,  and  he  appeared  to  feel  it  to  be  so  also. 

She  was  not  conscious  of  looking  upon  him  in 
the  light  of  a  lover,  but  he  saw  with  secret  ex- 
ultation that  he  was  fast  winning  her  heart;  he 
read  it  in  the  flushing  of  her  cheek  and  the  bright- 
ening of  her  eye  at  his  approach,  and  in  many 
other  unmistakable  signs.  He  wrote  to  Arthur 
that  the  prize  was  nearly  won;  so  nearly  that  he 
had  no  doubt  of  his  ultimate  success. 

"And  I'll  not  be  long  now  about  finishing  up 
the  job,"  he  continued;  "  it's  such  precious  hard 
work  to  be  so  good  and  pious  all  the  time,  that 
I  can  hardly  wait  till  matters  are  fully  ripe  for 
action.  I'm  in  constant  danger  of  letting  the 
mask  slip  aside  in  some  unguarded  moment,  and 
so  undoing  the  whole  thing  after  the  world  of 
trouble  it  has  cost  me.  It'b  no  joke,  I  can  assure 
you,  for  a  man  of  my  tastes  and  habits  to  lead 
the  sort  of  life  I've  led  for  the  last  three  months. 
I  believe  I'd  give  her  up  this  minute,  fortune  and 
all,  if  the  winning  of  them  would  lay  me  under 
the  necessity  of  continuing  it  for  the  rest  of  my 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  219 

days,  or  even  for  any  length  of  time.  But  once 
the  knot  is  tied,  and  the  property  secured,  there'll 
be  an  end  of  this  farce.  I'll  let  her  know  I'm 
done  with  cant,  will  neither  talk  it  nor  listen  to 
it." 

Arthur  Dinsmore's  face  darkened  as  he  read, 
and  in  a  sudden  burst  of  fury  he  tore  the  letter 
into  fragments,  then  threw  them  into  the  empty 
grate.  He  was  not  yet  so  hardened  as  to  feel 
willing  to  see  Elsie  in  the  power  of  such  a  heart- 
less wretch,  such  a  villain  as  he  knew  Tom  Jack- 
son to  be.  Many  times  already  had  he  bitterly 
repented  of  having  told  him  of  her  wealth,  and 
helped  him  to  an  acquaintance  with  her.  His 
family  pride  revolted  against  the  connection,  and 
some  latent  affection  for  his  niece  prompted  him 
to  save  her  from  the  life  of  misery  that  must  be 
hers  as  the  wife  of  one  so  utterly  devoid  of  honor 
or  integrity. 

Yet  Arthur  lacked  the  moral  courage  to  face 
the  disagreeable  consequences  of  a  withdrawal 
from  his  compact  with  Jackson,  and  a  confession 
to  his  father  or  Horace  of  the  wretch's  designs 
upon  Elsie  and  his  own  disgraceful  entanglement 
with  him.  He  concluded  to  take  a  middle  course. 
He  wrote  immediately  to  Jackson,  somewhat 
haughtily,  advising  him  at  once  to  give  up  the 
whole  thing. 

"  You  will  inevitably  fail  to  accomplish  your 
end,"  he  said.  "  Elsie  will  never  marry  without 
her  father's  consent,  and  that  you  will  find  it 
utterly  impossible  to  gain.  Horace  is  too  sharp 
to  be  hoodwinked  or  deceived,  even  by  you.  He 
will  ferret  out  your  whole  past,  lay  bare  the  whole 


220  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

black  record  of  your  rascalities  and  hypocrisies, 
and  forbid  his  daughter  ever  again  to  hold  the 
slightest  communication  with  you.  And  she  will 
obey  if  it  kills  her  on  the  spot." 

"  There's  some  comfort  in  that  last  reflection," 
muttered  Arthur  to  himself,  as  he  folded  and 
sealed  his  epistle;  "no  danger  of  the  rascal  get- 
ting into  the  family." 

Two  days  later,  Egerton  took  this  letter  from 
the  post-office  in  Lansdale.  He  read  it  with  a 
scowl  on  his  brow.  "  Ah!  I  see  your  game,  young 
man,"  he  muttered  with  an  oath,  "  but  you'll  find 
that  you've  got  hold  of  the  wrong  customer.  My 
reply  shall  be  short  and  sweet,  and  quite  to  the 
point." 

It  ran  thus:  "Your  warning  and  advice  come 
too  late,  my  young  friend;  the  mischief  is  al- 
ready wrought,  and  however  unworthy  your 
humble  servant  may  be  deemed  by  yourself  or 
others  of  its  members  to  become  connected  with 

the  illustrious  D family,  they  will  find  they 

cannot  help  themselves;  the  girl  loves  me,  and 
believes  in  me,  and  I  defy  all  the  fathers  and  re- 
lations in  creation  to  keep  us  apart."  Then  fol- 
lowed some  guarded  allusions  to  various  sums  of 
borrowed  money,  and  so-called  "  debts  of  honor," 
nnd  to  some  compact  by  which  they  were  to  be 
annulled,  accompanied  by  a  threat  of  exposure  if 
that  agreement  were  not  kept  to  the  very  letter. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Thou  shalt  not  see  me  blush, 
Nor  change  my  countenance  for  this  arrest. 
—SHAKESPEARE'S  "  HENRY  VI.,"  PART  II. 

IT  was  a  sultry  summer  night.  In  the  grounds 
of  one  of  the  largest  and  most  beautiful  of  the 
many  elegant  country  seats  to  be  found  in  the 
suburbs  of  Cincinnati  two  gentlemen  were  pacing 
leisurely  to  and  fro. 

They  were  friends  who  had  met  that  day  for 
the  first  time  in  several  years;  strongly  attached 
friends,  spite  of  a  very  considerable  difference  in 
their  ages.  They  had  had  much  to  say  to  each 
other  for  the  first  few  hours,  but  it  was  now  sev- 
eral minutes  since  either  had  spoken. 

The  silence  was  broken  by  the  younger  of  the 
two  exclaiming  in  a  tone  of  hearty  congratula- 
tion, "  This  is  a  magnificent  place,  Beresford!  It 
does  my  heart  good  to  see  you  so  prosperous!  " 

"  It  is  a  fine  place,  Travilla,  but/'  and  he 
heaved  a  deep  sigh,  "  I  sometimes  fear  my  wealth 
is  to  prove  anything  but  a  blessing  to  my  chil- 
dren; that  in  fact  my  success  in  acquiring  it  is 
to  be  the  ruin  of  my  first-born." 

"  Ah,  I  hope  not!  Is  Rudolph  not  doing  well?  " 

"  Well?  "  groaned  the  father,  dropping  his  head 
upon  his  breast,  "  he  seems  to  be  rushing  head- 
long to  destruction.  Have  you  not  noticed  his 
poor  mother's  sad  and  careworn  look?  or  mine? 

221 


222  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

That  boy  is  breaking  our  hearts.  I  could  not 
speak  of  it  to  every  one,  but  to  you,  my  long- 
tried  friend,  I  feel  that  I  may  unburden  myself, 

sure  of  genuine  sympathy "  And  he  went  on 

to  tell  how  his  son,  becoming  early  imbued  with 
the  idea  that  his  father's  wealth  precluded  all 
necessity  of  exertion  on  his  part,  had  grown  up 
in  habits  of  idleness  that  led  to  dissipation,  and 
going  on  from  bad  to  worse,  was  now  a  drunkard, 
a  gambler,  and  frequenter  of  low  haunts  of  vice. 

"Day  and  night  he  is  a  heavy  burden  upon 
our  hearts,"  continued  the  unhappy  father; 
"when  he  i?  with  us  we  find  it  most  distressing 
to  behold  the  utter  wreck  his  excesses  are  making 
of  him,  and  when  he  is  out  of  our  sight  it  is  still 
worse;  for  we  don't  know  what  sin  or  danger  he 
may  be  running  into.  Indeed  at  times  we  are 
almost  distracted.  Ah,  Travilla,  much  as  I  love 
my  wife  and  children,  I  am  half  tempted  to  envy 
your  bachelor  exemption  from  such  care  and  sor- 
row! " 

Mr.  Travilla's  kind  heart  was  deeply  moved. 
He  felt  painfully  conscious  of  his  own  inability  to 
comfort  in  such  sorrow;  but  spoke  of  God's  power 
>,o  change  the  heart  of  the  most  hardened  sinner, 
ais  willingness  to  save,  and  his  promises  to  those 
who  seek  his  aid  in  the  time  of  trouble. 

"  Thank  you.  I  knew  you  would  feel  for  us; 
your  sympathy  does  me  good,"  returned  Mr. 
Beresford,  grasping  his  friend's  hand  and  press- 
ing it  between  his  own;  "your  words  too;  for 
however  well  we  know  these  truths  we  are  apt  to 
forget  them,  even  when  they  are  most  needed. 

"  But   it   is   growing  late,  and  you  must  be 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  223 

weary  after  your  journey.  Let  me  show  you  to 
your  room." 

Three  days  passed  in  which  Eudolph  was  not 
once  seen  in  his  home.,  and  his  parents  were  left 
in  ignorance  of  his  whereabouts.  They  exerted 
themselves  for  the  pleasure  and  entertainment  of 
their  guest,  but  he  could  see  plainly  that  they 
were  enduring  torture  of  anxiety  and  suspense. 

Late  in  the  evening  of  the  third  day,  Mr.  Beres- 
f  ord  said  to  him,  "  My  carriage  is  at  the  door. 
I  must  go  into  town  and  search  for  my  boy.  I 
have  done  so  vainly  several  times  since  he  last 
left  his  home,  but  I  must  try  again  to-night.  "Will 
you  go  with  me?" 

Travilla  consented  with  alacrity,  and  they  set 
out  at  once. 

While  on  their  way  to  the  city  Mr.  Beresford 
explained  that,  for  some  time  past,  he  had  had 
reason  to  fear  that  his  son  was  frequenting  one 
of  its  gambling-hells;  that  thus  far  he  had  failed 
in  his  efforts  to  gain  admittance,  in  order  to 
search  for  him;  but  to-day,  a  professed  gambler, 
well  known  in  the  house,  had  come  to  him  and 
offered  his  assistance. 

"  As  his  convoy,  I  think  we  shall  get  in,"  added 
Mr.  Beresford.  "  I  cannot  fathom  the  man's  mo- 
tives, but  suspect  he  owes  a  grudge  to  a  new- 
comer, who,  he  says,  is  winning  large  sums  from 
Eudolph.  I  shall  drive  to  Smith's  livery  stable, 
leave  my  horse  and  carriage  there,  then  walk  on 
to  the  place,  which  is  only  a  few  squares  distant. 
Our  guide  is  to  meet  us  at  the  first  corner  from 
Smith's." 

This  programme  was  carried  out,  their  guide 


224  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

was  in  waiting  at  the  appointed  place,  and  at 
once  conducted  them  to  the  gambling-house  Mr. 
Beresford  had  spoken  of.  They  were  admitted 
without  question  or  demur,  and  in  another  mo- 
ment found  themselves  standing  beside  a  table 
where  a  number  of  men  were  at  play,  nearly  all 
so  absorbed  in  their  game  as  to  seem  entirely  un- 
conscious of  the  presence  of  spectators. 

Two  of  them,  pitted  against  each  other,  and 
both  young,  though  there  must  have  been  several 
years'  difference  in  their  ages,  particularly  at- 
tracted Travilla's  attention;  and  glancing  at  his 
friend,  he  saw  that  it  was  the  same  with  him, — 
that  his  eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  face  of  the 
younger  of  the  two,  with  an  expression  of  keen 
distress,  while  he  trembled  with  emotion,  and 
almost  gasped  for  breath,  as  he  leaned  toward 
him,  and  whispered,  "  It  is  he — my  son." 

At  the  same  instant  the  young  man's  face  grew 
deadly  pale,  he  started  up  with  a  wild,  ringing 
cry,  "  I  am  ruined!  "  drew  a  pistol  from  his  breast, 
and  placed  the  muzzle  to  his  mouth. 

But  Mr.  Travilla,  springing  forward,  struck  it 
from  his  hand  ere  he  could  pull  the  trigger. 

A  scene  of  much  excitement  and  confusion  fol- 
lowed, in  the  midst  of  which  young  Beresford  was 
led  away  by  his  father  and  Travilla. 

A  week  later  the  latter  gentleman  reached 
Lansdale,  arriving  there  in  the  early  morning 
train.  He  put  up  at  its  principal  hotel,  and  hav- 
ing refreshed  himself  by  a  few  hours'  sleep,  a 
bath,  and  breakfast,  inquired  the  way  to  Miss 
Stanhope's. 

Elsie  was  just  coming  down  the  front  stairway, 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  225 

is  he  appeared  before  the  open  door,  and  was 
about  to  ring  for  admittance. 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Tra villa,  my  dear  old  friend!  who 
would  have  expected  to  see  you  here?  "  she  cried, 
in  delighted  surprise,  as  she  bounded  forward  to 
meet  him,  with  both  hands  extended  in  joyous 
greeting. 

He  took  them  in  his,  and  kissed  her  first  on  one 
cheek,  then  on  the  other.  "Still  fresh  and 
blooming  as  a  rose,  and  with  the  same  happy  light 
in  the  sweet  brown  eyes,"  he  said,  gazing  fondly 
into  their  tender  depths. 

'•  And  you  are  the  same  old  flatterer,"  she  an- 
swered gayly,  a  rich  color  mantling  her  cheek. 
"  Come  in  and  sit  down.  But  oh,  tell  me  when 
did  you  see  papa  last?  and  mamma,  and  little 
Horace?  Ah!  the  sight  of  you  makes  me  home- 
sick for  them." 

"  I  left  them  at  Cape  May,  about  a  fortnight 
since,  all  well  and  happy,  but  missing  you  very 
much.  I  think  papa  will  hardly  be  able  to  do 
without  his  darling  much  longer." 

"  Nor  his  darling  without  him.  Oh,  dear! 
sometimes  I  get  to  wanting  him  so  badly  that  I 
feel  as  if  I  should  have  to  write  to  him  to  come 
for  me  at  once.  Buu  excuse  me  while  I  go  and 
call  Aunt  Wealthy." 

"Not  yet;  let  us  have  a  little  chat  together 
first." 

Of  course,  after  so  long  a  separation,  such  old 
and  tried  friends  would  find  a  great  deal  to  say 
to  each  other.  The  time  slipped  away  very  fast, 
and  half  an  hour  afterward  Mr.  Egerton,  coming 
in  without  ringing — a  liberty  he  sometimes  took 


226  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

of  late — found  them  seated  close  together  on  the 
sofa,  talking  earnestly,  Elsie  with  her  hand  in 
that  of  her  friend,  and  a  face  even  brighter  and 
happier  than  its  wont. 

Mr.  Travilla  had  one  of  those  faces  that  often 
seem  to  come  to  a  stand-still  as  regards  age,  and 
to  scarcely  know  any  change  for  many  years. 
He  was  at  this  time  thirty-four,  but  would  have 
passed  readily  for  twenty-five.  Egerton  thought 
him  no  more  than  that,  and  at  once  took  him  for 
a  successful  rival. 

"Excuse  me,  Miss  Dinsmore,"  he  said,  bowing 
stiffly,  "I  should  have  waited  to  ring,  but " 

"  Oh,  never  mind,  Mr.  Egerton,"  she  said;  "  let 
me  introduce  you  to  my  old  friend,  Mr.  Tra- 
villa  " 

But  she  stopped  in  astonishment  and  dismay. 
Mr.  Travilla  had  risen,  and  the  two  stood  con- 
fronting each  other  like  mortal  foes. 

Mr.  Travilla  was  the  first  to  speak.  "  I  have 
met  you  before,  sir! "  he  said  with  stern  indigna- 
tion. 

"  Indeed!  that  must  be  a  mistake,  sir,  for  upon 
my  word  and  honor  I  never  set  eyes  on  you 
before." 

"  Your  honor!  the  honor  of  a  sharper,  a  black- 
leg, a »' 

"  Sir,  do  you  mean  to  insult  me?  by  what  right 
do  you  apply  such  epithets  to  me?  Pray  where 
did  you  ever  meet  me?  " 

"  In  a  gambling-hell  in  Cincinnati;  the  time, 
one  week  ago  to-night;  the  occasion,  the  playing 
of  a  game  of  cards  between  young  Beresford  and 
yourself  in  which  you  were  the  winner — b}r  what 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  227 

knavery  you  best  know — the  stakes  so  heavy  that, 
on  perceiving  that  he  had  lost,  the  young  man 
cried  out  that  he  was  ruined,  and  in  his  mad  de- 
spair attempted  self-destruction.  It  is  quite 
possible  that  you  may  not  have  observed  me  in 
the  crowd  that  gathered  about  your  wretched 
victim;  but  I  can  never  forget  the  face  of  the  man 
who  had  wrought  his  ruin." 

Egerton's  countenance  expressed  the  utmost 
astonishment  and  incredulity.  "  I  have  not  been 
in  Cincinnati  for  two  months."  he  averred,  "  and 
all  I  know  of  that  affair  I  have  learned  from  the 
daily  papers.  But  I  shall  not  stay  here  to  be  in- 
sulted by  you,  sir.  Good-afternoon,  Miss  Dins- 
more.  I  hope  to  be  allowed  an  early  oportunity 
to  explain  this,  and  to  be  able  to  do  so  to  your 
entire  satisfaction." 

He  bowed  and  withdrew,  hastening  from  the 
house  with  the  rapid  step  of  one  who  is  filled  with 
a  just  indignation. 

Mr.  Travilla  turned  to  Elsie.  She  was  sitting 
there  on  the  sofa,  with  her  hands  clasped  in  her 
lap,  and  a  look  of  terror  and  anguish  on  her  face, 
from  which  every  trace  of  color  had  fled. 

His  own  grew  almost  as  pale,  and  his  voice 
shook,  as  again  sitting  down  beside  her,  and  lay- 
ing his  hand  on  hers,  he  said,  "My  poor  child! 
can  it  be  possible  that  you  care  for  that  wretch?  " 

"  Oh,  don't !  "  she  whispered  hoarsely  and  turn- 
ing away  her  face;  "  I  cannot  believe  it;  there 
must  be  some  dreadful  mistake." 

Then,  recovering  her  composure  by  a  mighty 
effort,  she  rose  and  introduced  her  aunt,  who 
entered  the  room  at  that  moment. 


228  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

Mr.  Travilla  sat  for  some  time  conversing  witK 
her,  Elsie  joining  in  occasionally,  but  with  a  tone 
and  manner  from  which  all  the  brightness  and 
vivacity  had  fled;  then  he  went  away,  declining 
a  pressing  invitation  to  stay  to  dinner,  but  prom- 
ising to  be  there  to  tea. 

The  moment  he  was  gone  Miss  Stanhope  was 
busied  in  beating  up  her  cushions,  and  Elsie  flew 
to  her  room,  where  she  walked  back  and  forth  in 
a  state  of  great  agitation.  But  the  dinner-bell 
rang,  and  composing  herself  as  well  as  she  could, 
she  went  down.  Her  cheeks  were  burning,  and 
she  seemed  unnaturally  gay,  but  ate  very  little  as 
her  aunt  noticed  with  concern. 

The  meal  was  scarcely  over,  when  a  ring  at  the 
door-bell  was  followed  by  the  sound  of  Mr.  Eger- 
ton's  voice  asking  for  Miss  Dinsmore. 

"  Ah !  "  said  Miss  Stanhope  with  an  arch  smile, 
"  he  does  not  ask  this  hour  for  me;  knowing  it's 
the  time  of  my  siesta." 

Elsie  found  Egerton  pacing  the  parlor  floor  to 
and  fro.  He  took  her  hand,  led  her  to  the  sofa, 
and  sitting  down  by  her  side,  began  at  once  to  de- 
fend himself  against  Mr.  Travilla's  charge.  He 
told  her  he  had  never  been  guilty  of  gambling; 
he  had  "  sowed  some  wild  oats,"  years  ago — get- 
ting slightly  intoxicated  on  two  or  three  occa- 
sions, and  things  of  that  sort — but  it  was  all  over 
and  repented  of;  and  surely  she  could  not  think  it 
just  and  right  that  it  should  be  brought  up 
against  him  now. 

As  to  Mr.  Travilla's  story — the  only  way  he 
could  account  for  the  singular  mistake  was  in 
the  fact  that  he  had  a  cousin  who  bore  the  same 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD,  229 

name  as  himself,,  and  resembled  him  so  closely 
that  they  had  been  frequently  mistaken  for  each 
other.  And  that  cousin,  most  unfortunately, 
especially  on  account  of  the  likeness,,  did  both 
drink  and  gamble.  He  was  delighted  by  the  look 
of  relief  that  came  over  Elsie's  face,  as  he  told 
her  this.  She  cared  for  him,  then;  yet  her  confi- 
dence had  been  shaken. 

"  Ah,  you  doubted  me,  then? "  he  said  in  a 
tone  of  sorrowful  reproach. 

"Oh!  I  could  not  bear  to  think  it  possible.  I 
was  sure  there  must  be  a  mistake  somewhere/'  she 
said  with  a  beautiful  smile. 

"  But  you  are  quite  satisfied  now?" 

"  Quite." 

Then  he  told  her  he  loved  her  very  dearly,  bet- 
ter than  his  own  soul;  that  he  found  he  could  not 
live  without  her;  life  would  not  be  worth  having, 
unless  she  would  consent  to  share  it  with  him. 
"  Would  she,  oh!  would  she  promise  some  day  to 
be  his  own  precious  little  wife?  " 

Elsie  listened  with  downcast,  blushing  face, 
and  soft  eyes  beaming  with  joy;  for  the  events  of 
that  day  had  revealed  to  her  the  fact  that  this 
man  had  made  hims-elf  master  of  her  heart. 

"Will  you  not  give  to  me  a  word  of  hope?" 
pleaded  Egerton. 

"I — I  cannot,  must  not,  without  my  father's 
permission,"  she  faltered,  "and  oh!  he  forbade 
me  to  listen  to  anything  of  the  kind.  I  am  too 
young  he  says." 

"  When  was  that?  " 

"  Three  years  ago." 

"'  Ah!  but  you  are  older  now;  and  you  will  let 


230  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

me  write  and  ask  his  consent?  I  may  say  that 
you  are  not  quite  indifferent  to  me?  " 

"  Yes/'  she  murmured,  turning  her  sweet, 
blushing  face  away  from  his  ardent  gaze. 

"  Thank  you,  dearest,  a  thousand  thanks! "  he 
cried,  pressing  her  hand  in  his.  "  And  now  may 
I  ask  who  and  what  that  Mr.  Travilla  is?  " 

She  explained,  winding  up  by  saying  that  he 
was  much  like  a  second  father  to  her. 

"Father!"  he  exclaimed,  "  he  doesn't  look  a 
day  over  twenty-five." 

"  He  is  about  two  years  younger  than  papa  and 
doesn't  look  any  younger,  I  think,"  she  answered 
with  a  smile.  "  But  strangers  are  very  apt  to 
take  papa  for  my  brother." 

Egerton  left  an  hour  before  Mr.  Travilla  came, 
and  that  hour  Elsie  spent  in  her  own  room  in  a 
state  of  great  excitement, — now  full  of  the  sweet 
joy  of  loving  and  being  loved,  now  trembling  with 
apprehension  at  the  thought  of  the  probable 
effect  of  Mr.  Travilla's  story  upon  her  father. 
She  was  fully  convinced  of  Egerton's  truth  and 
innocence;  yet  quite  aware  that  his  explanation 
might  not  prove  so  satisfactory  to  Mr.  Dinsmore. 

"  Oh,  papa,  papa!  "  she  murmured,  as  she  paced 
restlessly  to  and  fro,  "  how  can  I  obey  if  you  bid 
me  give  him  up?  And  yet  I  must.  I  know  it  will 
be  my  duty,  and  that  I  must." 

"  What  a  color  you  hab  in  your  cheeks,  darlin'! 
an'  how  your  eyes  do  shine.  I'se  'fraid  you's 
gettin'  a  fever,"  said  Chloe,  with  an  anxious, 
troubled  gaze  into  her  young  lady's  face,  as  she 
came  in  to  dress  her  for  the  evening. 

"  Oh,  no,  mammy,  I  am  perfectly  well,"  Elsie 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  231 

answered  with  a  slight  laugh.  Then  seating  her- 
self before  the  glass,  "  Now  do  your  best,"  she 
said  gayly,  "  for  we  are  to  have  company  to  tea. 
I  doubt  if  you  can  guess  whom?  " 

"  Den  'spose  my  pet  saves  her  ole  mammy  de 
trouble.  'Taint  massa,  for  sure?" 

"No,  not  quite  so  welcome  a  guest;  but  one 
you'll  be  delighted  to  see.  Mr.  Travilla." 

"  Ki,  darlin'!  he  not  here?" 

"Yes,  he  came  this  morning.  Ah!  I  knew 
you'd  be  delighted." 

Elsie  knew  that  it  would  require  the  very 
strongest  proof  to  convince  her  father  of  the 
truth  of  Mr.  Egerton's  story,  but  hoped  to  find 
Mr.  Travilla  much  more  ready  to  give  it  credence. 
She  was  proportionably  disappointed  when,  on 
hearing  it  from  her,  he  scouted  it  as  utterly  un- 
worthy of  belief,  or  even  examination. 

"  No,  my  child,"  he  said,  "  the  man's  face  is  in- 
delibly impressed  upon  my  memory,  and  I  can 
not  be  mistaken  in  his  identity." 

Elsie's  face  flushed  crimson,  and  indignant 
tears  sprang  to  her  eyes  and  trembled  in  her  voice 
as  she  answered,  "  I  never  knew  you  so  uncharit- 
able before,  sir.  I  could  not  have  believed  it  of 
my  kind-hearted,  generous  old  friend." 

He  gave  her  a  very  troubled,  anxious  look,  as 
he  replied,  "  Why  should  you  take  it  so  to  heart, 
Elsie?  Surely  this  man  is  nothing  to  you." 

"  He  is-  to  be  some  day,  if  papa  will  permit," 
she  murmured,  turning  away  her  blushing  face 
from  his  gaze. 

Mr.  Travilla  uttered  a  groan,  made  two  or 
three  rapid  turns  across  the  room,  and  coming 


232  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

back  to  her  side,  laid  his  hand  in  an  affectionate, 
fatherly  manner  upon  her  shoulder. 

"My  dear,"  he  said  with  emotion,  "I  don't 
know  when  I  have  heard  anything  that  distressed 
me  so  much;  or  that  could  give  such  pain  and  dis- 
tress to  your  doting  father." 

"  Mr.  Travilla,  you  will  not,  you  cannot  be  so 
unkind,  so  cruel,  as  to  try  to  persuade  papa  to 
think  as  you  do  of — of  Mr.  Egerton?  " 

Her  tone  was  half  indignant,  half  imploring, 
and  her  eyes  were  lifted  pleadingly  to  his  face. 

"  My  poor  child,"  he  said,  "  I  could  not  be  so 
cruel  to  you  as  to  leave  him  in  ignorance  of  any 
of  the  facts;  but  I  shall  not  attempt  to  bias  his 
judgment;  nor  would  it  avail  if  I  did.  Your 
father  is  an  independent  thinker,  and  will  make 
up  his  mind  for  himself." 

"  And  against  poor  Bromly,"  thought  Elsie, 
with  an  emotion  of  anguish,  and  something  akin 
to  rebellion  rising  in  her  heart. 

Mr.  Travilla  read  it  all  in  her  speaking  coun- 
tenance. "  Do  not  fear  your  father's  decision,  my 
little  friend,"  he  said,  sitting  down  beside  her 
again,  "  he  is  very  just,  and  you  are  as  the  apple 
of  his  eye.  He  will  sift  the  matter  thoroughly, 
and  decide  as  he  shall  deem  best  for  your  happi- 
ness. Can  you  not  trust  his  wisdom  and  his 
love?  " 

"  I  know  he  loves  me  very  dearly,  Mr.  Travilla, 
but — he  is  only  human,  and  may  make  a  mis- 
take." 

"  Then  try  to  leave  it  all  in  the  hands  of  your 
heavenly  Father,  who  cannot  err,  who  is  infinitt 
in  wisdom,  power,  and  in  His  love  for  you." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  233 

"  I  will  try,"  she  said  with  a  quivering  lip. 
"  Now  please  talk  to  me  of  something  else.  Tell 
me  of  that  young  man.  Did  you  say  he  shot 
himself  ?" 

"Young  Beresford,  my  friend's  son?  No,  he 
was  prevented."  And  he  went  on  to  tell  of  Ru- 
dolph's horror  and  remorse  on  account  of  that 
rash  act,  and  of  the  excesses  that  led  to  it;  also 
of  the  tremhling  hope  his  parents  and  friends 
were  beginning  to  indulge  that  he  was  now  truly 
penitent,  and,  clothed  in  his  right  mind,  was 
sitting  at  the  Saviour's  feet. 

Elsie  listened  with  interest.  They  had  had 
the  parlor  to  themselves  for  an  hour  or  more, 
Miss  Stanhope  having  received  an  unexpected 
summons  to  the  bedside  of  a  sick  neighbor. 

She  was  with  them  at  tea,  and  during  most  of 
the  evening,  but  left  them  alone  together  for  a 
moment  just  before  Mr.  Travilla  took  his  leave, 
and  he  seized  the  opportunity  to  say  to  Elsie  that 
he  thought  she  ought  to  refrain  from  further 
intercourse  with  Egerton  till  she  should  learn  her 
father's  will  in  regard  to  the  matter. 

"  I  cannot  promise — I  will  think  of  it,"  she 
said  with  a  look  of  distress. 

"  You  write  frequently  to  your  papa?  " 

"  Every  day." 

"  I  know  you  would  not  wish  to  deceive  him  in 
the  least.  Will  you  tell  him  what  I  conceive  to 
be  the  facts  in  regard  to  Mr.  Egerton?  or 
shall  I?" 

"  I  cannot,  oh,  I  cannot!  "  she  murmured,  turn- 
ing away  her  face. 

"  Then  I  shall  spare  you  the  painful  task,  by 


234  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

doing  it  myself,  iny  poor  child.  I  shall  write 
to-night." 

She  was  silent,  but  he  could  see  the  tumultuous 
heaving  of  her  breast,  and  the  tears  glistening  on 
the  heavy  drooping  lashes  that  swept  her  pale 
cheek.  His  heart  bled  for  her,  while  his  indig- 
nation waxed  hot  against  the  hypocritical  scoun- 
drel who,  he  feared,  had  succeeded  only  too  well 
in  wrecking  her  happiness. 

She  had  described  to  him  Egerton's  character 
as  he  had  made  it  appear  to  her,  telling  of  their 
conversations  on  religious  subjects,  his  supposed 
conversion,  etc.,  etc.;  thus  unintentionally  en- 
abling Travilla  to  see  clearly  through  the  man's 
base  designs.  He  silently  resolved  to  stay  in 
Lansdale  and  watch  over  her  until  her  father's 
arrival. 

"  You  ride  out  daily?  "  he  inquired. 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  May  I  be  your  escort  to-morrow?  " 

She  cast  down  her  eyes,  which  she  had  lifted  to 
his  face  for  an  instant,  blushing  painfully.  It 
seemed  an  effort  for  her  to  reply,  and  the  words 
came  slowly,  and  with  hesitation.  "  I — should 
be  glad  to  have  you,  sir;  you  know  I  have  always 
valued  your  society,  but — Mr.  Egerton  always 
goes  with  us — Lottie  King  and  me — of  late;  and 
— and  I  can  hardly  supose  either  of  you  would 
now  find  the  company  of  the  other  agreeable." 

"  No,  Elsie;  but  what  do  you  think  your  father 
would  wish?  " 

"  I  know  he  would  be  glad  to  have  me  under 
your  care,  and  if  you  don't  mind  the  unpleasant- 
ness." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  235 

"  My  dear,  I  would  cheerfully  endure  far  more 
than  that,  to  watch  over  your  father's  child. 
You  will  not  let  this  unhappy  circumstance  turn 
you  against  your  old  friend?  I  could  hardly 
bear  that,  little  Elsie."  And  he  drew  her  toward 
him  caressingly. 

"  Oh,  no,  no!  I  don't  think  anything  could  do 
that;  you've  always  been  so  good  to  me — almost  a 
second  father." 

He  released  her  hand  with  a  slight  involuntary 
sigh,  as  at  that  instant  Miss  Stanhope  re-entered 
the  room.  The  two  were  standing  by  the  piano, 
Mr.  Travilla  having  risen  from  one  of  the  cush- 
ioned chairs  to  draw  near  to  Elsie  while  talking  to 
her.  Miss  Stanhope  flew  to  the  chair,  caught  up 
the  cushion,  shook  it,  laid  it  down  again,  and  with 
two  or  three  little  loving  pats  restored  it  to  its 
normal  condition  of  perfect  roundness.  Mr.  Tra- 
villa watched  her  with  a  surprised,  puzzled  look. 

"Have  I  done  any  mischief,  Elsie?"  he  asked 
in  an  undertone. 

"  Oh,  no! "  she  answered  with  a  faint  smile, 
"it's  only  auntie's  way." 

Their  visitor  had  gone,  and  Elsie  turned  to  her 
aunt  to  say  good-night. 

"  Something  is  wrong  with  you,  child;  can't 
you  tell  the  trouble  to  your  old  auntie,  and  let 
her  try  to  comfort  you?  "  Miss  Stanhope  asked, 
putting  an  arm  about  the  slender  waist,  and  scan- 
ning the  sweet  face,  usually  so  bright  and  rosy, 
now  so  pale  and  agitated,  with  a  look  of  keen  but 
loving  scrutiny. 

Then,  in  broken  words,  and  with  many  a  litle 
half-sobbing  sigh  and  one  or  two  scalding  tears, 


S36  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

hastily  brushed  away,  Elsie  told  the  whole  pain- 
ful story,  secure  of  warm  sympathy  from  the  kind 
heart  to  which  she  was  so  tenderly  folded. 

Miss  Stanhope  believed  in  Bromly  Egerton  al- 
most as  firmly  as  Elsie  herself;  what  comfort 
there  was  in  that!  She  believed  too  in  the  in- 
spired assurances  that  "  all  things  work  together 
for  good  to  them  that  love  God,"  and  that  He  is 
the  hearer  and  answerer  of  prayer.  She  re- 
minded her  niece  of  them;  bade  her  cast  her  bur- 
den on  the  Lord  and  leave  it  there,  and  cheered 
her  with  the  hope  that  Bromly  would  be  able  to 
prove  to  her  father  that  Mr.  Travilla  was  entirely 
mistaken. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

My  heart  has  been  like  summer  skies, 
When  they  are  fair  to  view  ; 
But  there  never  yet  were  hearts  or  skies 
Clouds  might  not  wander  through. 

—MRS.  L.  P.  SMITH. 

WALTEB  DINSMOEE  was  doing  well  at  college, 
studying  hard,  and  keeping  himself  out  of  bad 
company.  In  this  last  he  might  not  have  been  so 
successful  but  for  his  brother's  assistance;  for, 
though  choosing  his  own  associates  from  among 
the  dissolute  and  vile,  Arthur  resolutely  exerted 
himself  to  preserve  this  young  brother  from  such 
contamination.  "  I've  enough  sins  of  my  own  to 
answer  for,  Wai,"  he  would  say,  sometimes  almost 
fiercely,  "  and  I  won't  have  any  of  yours  added  to 
'"em;  nobody  shall  say  I  led  you  into  bad  company, 
or  initiated  you  into  my  own  evil  courses." 

For  months  Arthur's  spirits  had  been  very 
variable,  his  frequent  fits  of  gloom,  alternating 
with  unnatural  gayety,  exciting  Walter's  wonder 
and  sympathy. 

*'  I  cannot  imagine  what  ails  him,"  he  said  to 
himself  again  and  again;  for  Arthur  utterly  re- 
fused to  tell  him  the  secret  of  his  despondency. 

It  had  been  almost  constant  since  the  receipt 
of  Egerton's  last  epistle,  and  Walter  was  debat- 
ing in  his  own  mind  whether  he  ought  not  to 
speak  of  it  in  his  next  letter  to  their  mother,  when 


238  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

One  night  he  was  wakened  by  a  sudden  blow  front 
Arthur's  hand,  and  started  up  to  find  him  rolling 
and  tbssing,  throwing  his  arms  about,  and  mut- 
tering incoherently  in  the  delirium  of  fever. 

It  was  the  beginning  of  a  very  serious  illness. 
It  was  pronounced  such  by  the  physician  called  in 
by  Walter  at  an  early  hour  the  next  morning,  and 
the  boy  sat  down  with  a  heavy  heart  to  write  the 
sad  tidings  to  his  parents. 

While  doing  so  he  was  startled  by  hearing 
Arthur  pronounce  Elsie's  name  in  connection 
with  words  that  seemed  to  imply  that  some  dan- 
ger threatened  her.  He  rose  and  went  to  the 
bedside,  asking,  "What's  wrong  with  Elsie, 
Art?" 

"  I  say,  Tom  Jackson,  she'll  never  take  you. 
Horace  won't  consent." 

"  I  should  think  not,  indeed!  "  muttered  Wal- 
ter. Then  leaning  over  his  brother,  "  Art,  I  say, 
Art!  what  is  it  all  about?  Has  Tom  Jackson 
gone  to  Lansdale?  " 

No  answer,  save  an  inarticulate  murmur  that 
might  be  either  assent  or  dissent. 

The  doctor  had  promised  to  send  a  nurse  and, 
as  Walter  now  glanced  about  the  room,  the 
thought  occurred  to  him  that  it  would  seem  very 
disorderly  to  the  woman.  Arthur's  clothes  lay 
in  a  heap  over  the  back  of  a  chair,  just  as  he  had 
thrown  them  down  on  retiring. 

"I  can  at  least  hang  these  in  the  closet/' 
thought  Walter,  picking  up  the  jacket. 

A  letter  fell  from  the  pocket  upon  the  floor, 

"Jackson's  handwriting,  I  declare!"  he  ex- 
claimed, with  a  start  of  surprise,  as  he  stooped  to 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  233 

pick  it  up.  It  was  without  an  envelope,  written 
in  a  bold,  legible  hand,  and  unintentionally  he 
read  the  date,  "Lansdale,  Ohio,  Aug.— 185--," 
and  farther  down  the  page  some  parts  of  sen- 
tences connected  with  the  "  D family " 

.  .  .  "can't  help  themselves"  .  .  .  "the  girl 
loves  me  and  believes  in  me." 

He  glanced  at  the  bed.  Arthur's  eyes  were 
closed.  He  looked  down  at  the  letter  again;  there 
was  the  signature  "  T.  J.,  alias  B.  E." 

"  It's  a  conspiracy;  there's  mischief  brewing, 
and  I  believe  I  ought  to  read  it,"  he  muttered; 
then,  turning  his  back  toward  the  bed,  perused 
every  word  of  it  with  close  attention. 

It  was  sufficient  to  give  him  a  clear  insight  into 
the  whole  affair.  Elsie's  letters  had  of  late 
spoken  quite  frequently  of  Mr.  Bromly  Egerton, 
and  so  he  was  the  "  T.  J.,  alias  B.  E."  of  this 
epistle,  the  Tom  Jackson  who  had  been  the  ruin 
of  Arthur. 

"  The  wretch!  the  sneaking,  hypocritical  scoun- 
drel! "  muttered  Walter  between  his  teeth,  and 
glancing  again  at  the  bed,  though  the  epithet  was 
meant  to  apply  to  Jackson  and  not  to  Arthur. 
"  What  can  I  do  to  circumvent  him?  Write  to 
Horace,  of  course,  and  warn  him  of  Elsie's  dan- 
ger." And  though  usually  vacillating  and  infirm 
of  purpose,  on  this  occasion  Walter  showed  him- 
self both  prompt  and  decided.  The  next  mail 
carried  the  news  of  his  discovery  to  Elsie's  natural 
protector, — her  father,  who  with  Rose,  the  Alli- 
son family,  and  little  Horace,  was  still  at  Cape 
May. 

This  letter  and  the  three  from  Lansdale  ward 


240  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

handed  Mr.  Dinsmore  together.  He  opened 
Elsie's  first.  The  contents  puzzled,  surprised,  and 
alarmed  him.  They  were  merely  a  few  hastily 
written  lines  of  touching  entreaty  that  he  would 
not  be  angry,  but  would  please  forgive  her  for  giv- 
ing her  heart  to  one  of  whom  he  knew  nothing, 
and  daring  to  let  him  speak  to  her  of  love;  and 
that  he  would  not  believe  anything  against  him 
until  he  had  heard  his  defence. 

With  a  murmured  "  My  poor  darling!  you  have 
been  too  long  away  from  your  father,"  Mr.  Dins- 
more  laid  it  down  and  opened  the  one  directed  in 
a  strange  hand;  rightly  supposing  it  to  come  from 
the  person  to  whom  she  alluded. 

Egerton  spoke  in  glowing  terms  of  his  admira- 
tion for  Elsie's  character  and  personal  charms, 
and  the  ardent  love  with  which  they  had  inspired 
him,  and  modestly  of  his  own  merits.  Ignoring 
all  knowledge  of  her  fortune,  he  said  that  he  had 
none,  but  was  engaged  in  a  flourishing  business 
which  would  enable  him  to  support  her  in  com- 
fort and  to  surround  her  with  most  of  the  elegan- 
cies and  luxuries  of  life  to  which  she  had  been 
accustomed.  Lastly  he  alluded  in  a  very  pious 
strain  to  the  deep  debt  of  gratitude  he  owed  her 
as  the  one  who  had  been  the  means  of  his  hopeful 
conversion;  said  she  had  acknowledged  that  she 
returned  his  affection,  and  earnestly  begged  for 
the  gift  of  her  hand. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  gave  this  missive  an  atten- 
tive perusal,  laid  it  aside,  and  opened  Mr.  Tra- 
villa's. 

Eose  was  in  the  room,  putting  little  Horace  to 
bed.  She  had  heard  his  little  prayer,  given  him 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  241 

his  good-night  kiss,  and  now  the  child  ran  to  his 
father  to  claim  the  same  from  him. 

It  was  given  mechanically,  and  Mr.  Dinsmore 
returned  to  his  letter.  The  child  lingered  a  mo- 
ment, gazing  earnestly  into  his  father's  face, 
troubled  by  its  paleness  and  the  frown  on  his 
brow. 

"  Papa,"  he  said  softly,  leaning  with  confiding 
affection  upon  his  knee,  "  dear  papa,  are  you 
angry  with  me?  have  I  been  a  naughty  boy,  to- 
day?" 

"  No,  son;  but  I  am  reading;  don't  disturb  me 
now." 

Mr.  Dinsmore's  hand  rested  caressingly  on  the 
curly  head  for  an  instant  and  the  boy  turned  away 
satisfied.  But  Rose  was  not.  Coming  to  her 
husband's  side  the  next  moment,  and  laying  her 
hand  affectionately  on  his  shoulder,  "  "What  is  it, 
dear?"  she  asked,  "has  anything  gone  wrong 
with  our  darling,  or  at  home?  " 

"  Trouble  for  her,  I  fear,  Rose.  Read  these," 
he  answered  with  emotion,  putting  Elsie's,  Eger- 
ton's,  and  Tra villa's  letters  into  her  hands,  then 
opening  Walter's. 

"  Travilla  is  right!  the  man  is  an  unmitigated 
scoundrel! "  he  cried,  starting  up  with  great  ex- 
citement. "Rose,  I  must  be  off  by  the  next 
train;  it  leaves  in  half  an  hour.  I  shall  go  alone 
and  take  only  a  portmanteau  with  me.  Can  it  be 
got  ready  in  season?  " 

"  Yes,  dear,  I  will  pack  it  at  once  myself.  But 
what  is  wrong?  "Where  are  you  going?  and  how 
long  will  you  be  away?" 

"  To  my  brother's  first — Arthur  is  seriously  ill. 


242  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  f 

and  I  must  get  hold  of  evidence  that  Walter  can1 
supply — then  on  to  Lansdale  with  all  speed  to 
rescue  Elsie  from  the  wiles  of  a  gambling,  swin- 
dling, hypocritical,  fortune-hunting  rascal! " 

At  a  very  early  hour  of  the  next  morning,  Wal- 
ter Dinsmore  was  roused  from  his  slumbers  by 
a  knock  at  his  door. 

"Who's  there?"  he  asked,  starting  up  in 
bed. 

"  I,  Walter,"  answered  a  well-known  voice,  and 
with  a  joyful  exclamation  he  sprang  to  the  door, 
and  opened  it. 

"  Horace!  how  glad  I  am  to  see  you!  I  hardly 
dared  hope  you  could  get  here  so  soon." 

"  Your  news  was  of  the  sort  to  hasten  a  man's 
movements,"  returned  Mr.  Dinsmore,  holding  the 
lad's  hand  in  a  warm  brotherly  grasp.  "  How  are 
you?  and  how's  Arthur  now?  *  ; 

"About  the  same.  Hark!  you  may  hear  him 
moaning  and  muttering.  This  is  our  study.  I 
have  had  that  cot-bed  brought  in  here,  and  given 
up  the  bedroom  to  him  and  the  nurse;  though  I'm 
with  him  a  good  deal  too." 

"  You  have  a  good  nurse,  and  the  best  medical 
advice?" 

"Yes." 

"  You  must  see  that  he  has  every  comfort,  Wal- 
ter; let  no  expense  be  spared,  nothing  left  un- 
done that  may  alleviate  his  sufferings  or  assist  his 
recovery.  What  is  the  phvsician's  opinion  of  the 
case?  " 

"  He  is  not  very  communicative  to  me;  may  be 
more  so  to  you.  You'll  stay  and  see  him  when 
he  calls,  won't  you?  " 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  243 

"  What  time?  I  must  be  off  again  by  the  first 
train.  I  want  to  reach  Lansdale  to-morrow." 

"  It  will  give  you  time  to  do  that.  He  calls 
early." 

"  Now  take  me  to  Arthur;  and  then  I  must  see 
that  letter,  and  hear  all  you  have  to  tell  me  in  re- 
gard to  that  matter." 

"What  does  Elsie  say?"  asked  Walter,  with 
intense  interest;  "  do  you  think  she  cares  for 
him?" 

"I'm  afraid  she  does,"  and  Mr.  Dinsmore 
shook  his  head  sadly. 

"  Oh,  dear!  but  you  won't  allow " 

"  Certainly  not;  'twould  be  to  entail  upon  her  a 
life  of  misery." 

"  It's  her  fortune  he's  after,  that's  evident,  and 
indeed  I  would  hurry  to  Lansdale,  if  I  were  you, 
lest  they  might  take  it  into  their  heads  to  elope. 
Such  a  shame  as  it  would  be  for  him  to  get  her — • 
the  dear,  sweet  darling!  " 

"  I  have  no  fear  that  Elsie  could  ever  be  so  lost 
to  her  sense  of  filial  duty;  nor,  I  am  sure,  have 
you,  Walter,"  answered  Mr.  Dinsmore  gravely. 

"No,  Horace;  and  it's  the  greatest  relief  and 
comfort  to  me  just  now  to  know  how  truly  obe- 
dient and  affectionate  she  is  to  you." 

Horace  Dinsmore  omitted  nothing  that  he 
could  do  to  add  to  the  comfort  of  his  brothers, 
saw  the  physician  and  learned  from  him  that  he 
had  good  hopes  of  a  naturally  vigorous  constitu- 
tion bringing  Arthur  safely  through  the  attack 
from  which  he  was  suffering,  examined  the  evi- 
dence Walter  was  able  to  furnish  that  Bromly 
Egerton  and  Tom  Jackson  were  one  and  the  same 


244  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

• — a  man  in  whom  every  vice  abounded — found 
time  to  show  an  interest  in  Walter's  studies  and 
pastimes,  and  was  ready  to  leave  by  the  train  of 
which  he  had  spoken. 

Jackson  had  not  been  wary  enough  to  disguise 
his  hand  in  either  the  letter  that  had  fallen  from 
Arthur's  pocket,,  or  the  one  written  to  Mr.  Dins- 
more,  and  a  careful  comparison  of  the  two  had 
proved  conclusively  that  they  were  the  work  of 
the  same  person.  The  broken  sentences  that  oc- 
casionally fell  from  Arthur's  lips  in  his  delirious 
ravings  furnished  another  proof  not  less  strong. 
Also  Walter  had  managed  to  secure  an  excellent 
photograph  of  Jackson,  which  Mr.  Dinsmore 
carried  with  him,  safely  bestowed  in  the  breast- 
pocket of  his  coat.  He  had  studied  it  attentively 
and  felt  sure  he  should  be  able  instantly  to  rec- 
ognize the  original. 

Bromly  Egerton  lay  awake  most  of  the  night 
following  his  passage  at  arms  with  Mr.  Travilla, 
considering  the  situation,  and  how  he  would  be 
most  likely  to  secure  the  coveted  prize.  He  re- 
membered perfectly  well  all  that  Arthur  Dins- 
more  had  said  about  the  difficulty  of  deceiving  or 
outwitting  his  brother,  and  the  impossibility  of 
persuading  Elsie  to  disobedience.  Of  the  latter, 
he  had  had  convincing  proof  that  day,  in  her  firm 
refusal  to  engage  herself  to  him  without  first  ob- 
taining her  father's  consent.  The  conclusion  he 
came  to  was,  that  should  he  remain  inactive  until 
Mr.  Dinsmore's  arrival,  his  chances  of  success 
were  exceedingly  small;  in  fact  that  his  only  hope 
lay  in  running  away  with  Elsie,  and  afterwards 
persuading  her  into  a  clandestine  marriage. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  245 

Their  ride  was  to  be  taken  shortly  after  an 
early  breakfast,  there  being  a  sort  of  tacit  under- 
standing that  he  was  to  accompany  the  young 
ladies;  but  before  Elsie  had  left  her  room,  Chloe 
came  up  with  a  message.  "  Marse  Egerton  in  de 
parlor,  darlin',  axin  could  he  see  my  young  missis 
for  five  minutes,  just  now/' 

Elsie  went  down  at  once.  Her  visitor  stood 
with  his  back  toward  the  door,  apparently  intently 
studying  the  pattern  of  her  great-great-grand- 
mother's sampler,  but  turning  instantly  at  the 
sound  of  the  light,  quick  footstep,  came  eagerly 
toward  her  with  outstretched  hand. 

"  Excuse  this  early  call,  dearest,  but — ah,  how 
lovely  you  are  looking  this  morning!  "  and  bend- 
ing his  head  he  drew  her  toward  him. 

But  she  stepped  back,  avoiding  the  intended 
caress,  while  a  crimson  tide  rushed  over  the 
fair  face  and  neck,  and  her  eyes  sought  the 
carpet. 

"  We  are  not  engaged,  Mr.  Egerton;  cannot  be 
till  papa  has  given  consent." 

"  I  beg  ten  thousand  pardons,"  he  said,  color- 
ing violently  in  his  turn,  and  feeling  his  hopes 
grow  fainter. 

"  Will  you  not  take  a  seat?  "  she  asked,  gently 
withdrawing  her  hand  from  his. 

"  Thank  you,  no;  I  have  but  a  moment  to  stay. 
My  errand  was  to  ask  if  we  could  not  so  arrange 
it  as,  for  once  at  least,  to  have  our  ride  alone  to- 
gether? Miss  Lottie  is  a  very  nice  girl,  but  I 
would  give  much  to  have  my  darling  all  to  myself 
to-day." 

"  I  would  like  it  much  too,  very  much,  but  pap* 


246  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

bade  me  always  have  a  lady  friend  with  me;  and — 
and  besides,"  she  added  with  hesitation,  and 
blushing  more  deeply  than  before,  "  papa's  friend, 
Mr.  Travilla,  is  to  go  with  us.  I — I  have  prom- 
ised that  he  shall  be  my  escort  to-day/' 

Egerton  was  furious,  and  had  much  ado  to  con- 
ceal the  fact;  indeed,  came  very  near  uttering  a 
horrible  oath,  and  thus  forever  ruining  his  hopes. 
He  bit  his  lips  and  kept  silent,  but  Elsie  saw  that 
he  was  angry. 

"  Do  not  be  offended  or  hurt,"  she  said;  "  do 
not  suppose  that  I  followed  my  own  inclination  in 
consenting  to  such  an  arrangement.  No,  I  only 
acted  from  a  sense  of  dutjr;  knowing  that  it  was 
what  papa  would  wish." 

"And  you  would  put  his  wishes  before  mine? 
Love  him  best,  I  presume?" 

"  He  is  my  father,  and  entitled  to  my  obedi- 
ence, whether  present  or  absent." 

"  But  what  very  strict  ideas  you  must  have  on 
that  subject!  do  you  really  think  it  your  duty  to 
obey  his  wishes  as  well  as  his  command?  " 

"  I  do;  that  is  the  kind  of  obedience  he  has 
taught  me,  that  the  Bible  teaches,  and  that  my 
love  for  him  would  dictate.  I  love  my  father 
very  dearly,  Mr.  Egerton." 

"  I  should  think  so,  indeed;  but  you  must  par- 
don me  if  at  present  I  am  far  more  concerned 
about  your  love  for  me,"  he  said,  with  a  forced 
laugh.  "As  for  this  Travilla,  I  can  hardly  be 
expected  to  feel  any  great  cordiality  toward  him 
after  his  attack  upon  me  yesterday;  and  I  am 
free  to  confess  that  it  would  not  cause  me  great 
grief  to  learn  that  some  sudden  illness  or  acei- 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  247 

Sent  had  occurred  to  prevent  his  spoiling  our  ride 
to-day." 

"  Your  feelings  are  perfectly  natural;  but,  be- 
lieve me,  Mr.  Travilla  has  the  kindest  of  hearts, 
and  when  he  learns  his  mistake  will  be  most  anx- 
ious to  do  all  in  his  power  to  make  amends  for  it. 
Will  you  stay  and  take  breakfast  with  us?  "  For 
at  that  instant  the  bell  rang. 

"  No,  thank  you/'  he  said,  moving  toward  the 
door.  "But  promise  me,  Elsie,  that  I  shall  be 
your  escort  after  this  until  your  father  comes. 
Surely  love  may  claim  so  small  a  concession  from 
duty." 

She  could  not  resist  his  persuasive  look  and 
tone,  but  with  a  smile  and  a  blush  gave  the 
promise  for  which  he  pleaded. 

Procuring  as  fine  a  horse  as  his  landlord  could 
furnish,  Mr.  Travilla  rode  to  Miss  Stanhope's, 
and  alighting  at  the  gate,  walked  up  to  the 
house. 

He  found  its  mistress  on  the  front  porch,  pick- 
ing dead  leaves  from  her  vines.  She  had 
mounted  a  step  ladder  to  reach  some  that  other- 
wise were  too  high  up  for  her  small  stature. 
Turning  at  the  sound  of  his  approach,  "  Good- 
morning,  sir,"  she  said.  "  You  see  I'm  like  the 
sycamore  tree  that  climbed  into  Zaccheus. 
Shortness  is  inconvenient  at  times.  My,  what  a 
jar! "  as  she  came  down  rather  hard,  missing  the 
last  step — "  I  feel  it  from  the  crown  of  my  foot  to 
the  sole  of  my  head.  Here,  Simon,  take  away  this 
ladder-step;  the  next  time  I  want  it  I  think  I'll 
do  without;  I'm  growing  so  old  in  my  clumsy  age. 
Walk  in  and  take  a  seat,  Mr.  Torville.  Or  shall 


248  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

we  sit  here?  It's  pleasanter  than  indoors  I 
think/' 

"  I  agree  with  you,"  he  said,  accepting  her  invi- 
tation with  a  smile  at  the  oddity  of  her  address. 
"  You  have  a  fine  view  here." 

They  sat  there  conversing  for  some  time  be- 
fore Elsie  made  her  appearance,  Mr.  Travilla  both 
charmed  and  amused  with  his  companion,  and  she 
liking  him  better  every  moment.  When  Elsie 
did  come  down  at  last,  looking  wondrous  sweet 
and  fair  in  a  pretty,  coquettish  riding  hat  and 
habit,  her  aunt  informed  her  that  she  had  been 
urging  "  Mr.  Vanilla "  to  come  and  make  his 
home  with  them  while  in  town,  and  that  he  had 
consented  to  let  her  send  Simon  at  once  for  his 
trunk. 

"If  it  will  be  agreeable  to  my  little  friend  to 
have  me  here?"  Mr.  Travilla  said,  taking  her 
hand  in  his  with  the  affectionate,  fatherly  man- 
ner she  had  always  liked  so  much  in  him. 

Her  face  flushed  slightly,  but  she  answered 
without  an  instant's  hesitation  that  she  hoped  ha 
would  come. 

The  horses  were  already  at  the  gate,  Egerton 
was  seen  crossing  the  street,  and  Lottie  came  trip- 
ping in  at  a  side  entrance.  She  had  heard  a  good 
deal  of  Mr.  Travilla  from  Elsie,  and  seemed 
pleased  to  make  his  acquaintance. 

Egerton  came  in,  he  and  Mr.  Travilla  ex- 
changed the  coldest  and  most  distant  of  saluta- 
tions, and  the  party  set  off;  Mr.  Travilla  riding  by 
Elsie's  side,  Egerton  and  Lottie  following  a  little 
in  their  rear. 

Finding  it  almost  a  necessity  to  devote  him- 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  249 

self  to  Mies  King  for  the  time  being,  Egerton 
took  a  sudden  resolution  to  make  a  partial  con- 
fidante of  her,  hoping  thus  to  secure  a  powerful 
ally.  He  told  her  of  the  state  of  affairs  between 
Elsie  and  himself,  of  Mr.  Travilla's  "  attack  upon 
him;"  how  "  utterly  mistaken  "  it  was,  and  how- 
he  presumed  "  the  mistake  "  had  occurred;  giv- 
ing the  story  he  had  told  Elsie  of  the  cousin  who 
bore  so  strong  a  likeness  to  him,  and  so  bad  a 
character.  He  professed  the  most  ardent,  de- 
voted affection  for  Elsie,  and  the  most  torturing 
fears  lest  her  father,  crediting  him  with  his 
cousin's  vices,  should  forbid  the  match  and  crush 
all  his  hopes. 

The  warm-hearted,  innocent  girl  believed  every 
word,  and  rushing  into  her  friend's  room  on  their 
return,  threw  her  arms  about  her,  and  hugging 
her  close,  told  her  she  knew  all,  was  so,  so  sorry 
for  her,  and  for  poor  Egerton;  and  begged  her  not 
to  allow  anything  to  make  her  give  him  up  and 
break  his  heart. 

Elsie  returned  the  embrace,  shed  a  few  tears, 
but  answered  not  a  word. 

"You  do  believe  in  him?  and  won't  give  him 
up;  will  you?  "  persisted  Lottie. 

"  I  do  believe  in  him,  and  will  not  give  him  up 
unless — unless  papa  commands  it,"  Elsie  an- 
swered in  a  choking  voice. 

"  I  wouldn't  for  that! "  cried  Lottie. 

"  '  Children,  obey  your  parents,'  "  repeated  her 
friend,  tears  filling  the  soft  brown  eyes,  and 
glistening  on  the  drooping  lashes.  "  It  is  God's 
command." 

"  But  you  are  not  a  child  any  longer." 


250  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  I  am  papa's  child;  I  always  shall  be.  Oh,  it 
would  break  my  heart  if  ever  he  should  disowii 
me  and  say,  '  You  are  no  longer  my  child! ' ' 

"  How  you  do  love  him!  " 

"Better  than  my  life!" 

Mr.  Travilla  was  already  established  at  Miss 
Stanhope's,  and  very  glad  to  be  there,  that  he 
might  keep  the  more  careful  and  constant  watch 
and  ward  over  his  "little  friend."  Thoroughly 
convinced  of  the  vileness  of  the  wretch  who  had 
won  her  unsuspicious  heart,  he  could  scarce  brook 
the  thought  of  leaving  her  alone  with  him,  or  of 
seeing  him  draw  close  to  her  side,  touch  her  hand. 
or  look  into  the  soft,  sweet  eyes  so  full  of  purity 
and  innocence.  Yet  these  things  no  one  but  her 
father  might  forbid,  and  Mr.  Travilla  would  not 
force  his  companionship  upon  Elsie  when  he  saw 
cr  felt  that  it  was  distasteful  to  her.  The  lovers 
were  frequently  left  to  themselves  in  the  parlor 
or  upon  the  porch,  though  the  friendly  guardian, 
dreading  he  hardly  knew  what,  took  care  always 
to  be  within  call. 

Elsie  longed  for,  yet  dreaded  her  father's  com- 
ing. She  knew  he  would  not  delay  one  moment 
longer  than  necessary  after  receiving  their  letters, 
yet  he  reached  Lansdale  almost  a  day  sooner 
than  she  expected  him. 

Sitting  alone  in  her  room,  she  heard  his  voice 
and  step  in  the  hall  below.  She  flew  down  to 
meet  him. 

"  Oh,  papa,  dear,  dear  papa!  " 

"  My  darling,  precious  child!  "  And  her  arms 
were  about  his  neck,  his  straining  her  to  his  heart. 
The  next  moment  she  lifted  her  face,  and  her 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  25t 

eyes  sought  his  with  a  wistful,  pleading,  question 
ing  look.  He  drew  her  into  the  sitting-room,  ank 
Miss  Stanhope  closed  the  door,  leaving  them 
alone. 

"  My  darling,"  he  said,  "  you  must  give  him 
up;  he  is  utterly  unworthy  of  you." 

"  Oh,  papa!  would  you  break  my  heart?" 

"  My  precious  one,  I  would  save  you  from  a  life 
of  misery." 

"Ah,  papa!  you  would  never  say  that  if  you 
knew  how — how  I  love  him,"  she  murmured,  a 
deep  blush  suffusing  her  face. 

""  Hush !  it  horrifies  me  to  hear  you  speak  so  of 
so  vile  a  wretch, — a  drinking,  swearing  gambler, 
swindler,  and  rake;  for  I  have  learned  that  he  is 
all  these." 

"  Papa,  it  is  not  true!  I  will  not  hear  such! 
things  said  of  him,  even  by  you! "  she  cried,  the 
hot  blood  dyeing  her  face  and  neck,  and  the  soft 
eyes  filling  with  indignant  tears. 

He  put  his  finger  upon  her  lips.  "  My  daugh- 
ter forgets  to  whom  she  is  speaking,"  he  said  with 
something  of  the  old  sternness,  though  there  was 
tender  pity  also  in  his  tones. 

"Oh,  papa,  I  am  so  wretched!"  she  sobbed, 
hiding  her  face  on  his  breast.  "  Oh,  don't  believe 
what  they  say;  it  isn't,  it  can't  be  true." 

He  caressed  her  silently,  then  taking  the  pho- 
tograph from  his  pocket,  asked,  "  Do  you  know 
that  face?" 

"Yes,  it  is  his." 

<e  I  knew  it,  and  it  is  also  the  face  of  the  man 
whose  character  I  have  just  described." 

"  Oh,  no,  papa!  "  and  with  breathless  eagerness 


332  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

she  repeated  the  story  with  which  Egerton  had 
swept  away  all  her  doubts.  She  read  incredulity 
in  her  father's  face.  "  You  do  not  believe  it, 
papa?" 

"No,  my  child.,  no  more  than  I  do  black  is 
white.  See  here! "  and  he  produced  Egerton's 
letter  to  him.,  and  the  one  to  Arthur,  made  her 
read  and  compare  them,  and  gave  her  the  further 
proofs  Walter  had  furnished. 

She  grew  deathly  pale,  but  was  no  more  ready 
to  be  convinced  than  he.  "  Oh,  papa,  there  must 
be  some  dreadful  mistake!  I  cannot  believe  he 
could  be  guilty  of  such  things.  The  cousin  has 
been  personating  him,  has  forged  that  letter,  per- 
haps; and  the  photograph  may  be  his  also." 

"  You  are  not  using  your  good  common-sense, 
Elsie;  the  proof  is  very  full  and  clear  to  my  mind. 
The  man  is  a  fortune-hunter,  seeking  your  wealth, 
not  you;  a  scoundrel  whose  vices  should  shut  him 
out  of  all  decent  society.  I  can  hardly  endure 
the  thought  that  he  has  ever  known  you,  or  dared 
to  address  a  word  to  you,  and  it  must  never  be 
again." 

"Must  I  give  him  up?"  she  asked  with  pale, 
quivering  lips. 

"  You  must,  my  daughter;  at  once  and  for 
ever." 

A  look  of  anguish  swept  over  her  face,  then  she 
started,  flushed,  and  trembled,  as  a  voice  and  step 
were  heard  on  the  porch  without. 

"It  is  he?"  her  father  said  inquiringly,  and 
her  look  answered.  "  Yes." 

He  rose  to  his  feet,  for  they  had  been  sitting 
side  by  side  on  the  sofa  while  they  talked.  She 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  25? 

sprang  up  also,  and  clinging  to  his  arm,  looked 
beseechingly  into  his  face,  pleading  in  a  hoarse 
whisper,  "  Papa,  you  will  let  me  see  him,  speak  to 
him  once  more? —  just  a  few  words — in  your 
presence — oh,  papa!  " 

"  No,  my  darling,  no;  his  touch,  his  breath,  are 
contamination;  his  very  look  is  pollution,  and 
shall  never  rest  upon  you  again  if  I  can  prevent  it. 
Eemember  you  are  never  to  hold  any  comunica- 
tion  with  him  again — by  word,  letter,  or  in  any 
other  way;  I  positively  forbid  it;  you  must  never 
look  at  him,  or  intentionally  allow  him  a  sight  of 
your  face.  I  must  go  now,  and  send  him  away." 
He  held  her  to  his  heart  as  he  spoke;  his  tone  was 
affectionate,  but  very  firm,  and  decided;  he  kissed 
her  tenderly,  two  or  three  times,  placed  her  in  an 
easy-chair,  saying,  "  Stay  here  till  I  come  to  you,'* 
and  left  the  room. 

For  a  moment  she  lay  back  against  the  cushions 
like  one  stunned  by  a  heavy  blow;  then,  roused 
by  the  sound  of  the  voices  of  the  two  she  loved 
best  on  earth,  started  and  leaned  forward  in  a 
listening  attitude,  straining  her  ear  to  catch  their 
words.  Few  of  them  reached  her,  but  her 
father's  tones  were  cold  and  haughty,  Egerton's 
at  first  persuasive,  then  loud,  angry,  and 
defiant. 

He  was  gone,  she  had  heard  the  last  echo  of  his 
departing  footsteps,  and  again  her  father  bent 
over  her,  his  face  full  of  tender  pity.  She  lifted 
her  sad  face  to  his,  with  the  very  look  that  had 
haunted  him  for  years,  that  he  could  never  recall 
without  a  pang  of  regret  and  remorse — that 
yleading,  mournful  gaze  with  which  she  had 


254  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD 

parted  from  him  in  the  time  of  their  estrange- 
ment. 

It  almost  unmanned  him  now,  almost  broke  his 
heart.  "  Don't,  my  darling,  don't  look  at  me  so/* 
he  said  in  low,  moved  tones,  taking  her  cold 
hands  in  his.  "You  don't  know,  precious  one, 
how  willingly  your  father  would  bear  all  this  pain 
for  you  if  he  could." 

She  threw  herself  upon  his  breast,  and  folding 
her  close  to  his  heart,  he  caressed  her  with  ex- 
ceeding tenderness,  calling  her  by  every  fond, 
endearing  name. 

For  many  minutes  she  received  it  all  passively, 
then  suddenly  raising  her  head,  she  returned  one 
passionate  embrace,  withdrew  herself  from  his 
arms,  and  hurried  from  the  room. 

He  let  her  go  unquestioned;  he  knew  she  went 
to  seek  comfort  and  support  from  One  nearer  and 
dearer,  and  better  able  to  give  it  than  himself. 
He  rose  and  walked  the  room  with  a  sad  and 
troubled  countenance,  and  a  heart  filled  with 
grief  for  his  child,  with  anger  and  indignation 
toward  the  wretch  who  had  wrecked  her  happi- 
ness. 

(Miss  Stanhope  opened  the  door  and  looked  in. 

"  You  have  had  no  dinner,  Horace.  It  will  be 
ready  in  a  few  moments." 

"  Thank  you,  aunt.  I  will  go  up  to  my  room 
first  and  try  to  get  rid  of  some  of  the  dust  and 
dirt  I  have  brought  with  me." 

"  Stay  a  moment,  nephew.  I  am  sorely 
troubled  for  the  child.  You  don't  approve  of  her 
choice?" 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  255 

"  Very  far  from  it.  I  have  forbidden  tKe  man1 
ever  to  come  near  her  again." 

"  But  you  won't  be  hard  with  her,  poor  dear?  " 

"  Hard  with  her,  Aunt  Wealthy?  hard  and  cruel 
to  my  darling  whom  I  love  better  than  my  life? 
I  trust  not;  but  it  would  be  the  height  of  cruelty 
to  allow  this  thing  to  go  on.  The  man  is  a  vile 
wretch  guilty  of  almost  every  vice,  and  seeking  my 
child  for  her  wealth,  not  for  herself.  I  have  for- 
bidden her  to  see  or  ever  to  hold  the  slightest 
communication  with  him  again." 

"  Well,  it  is  quite  right  if  your  opinion  of  him 
is  correct;  and  I  hardly  think  she  is  likely  to  re- 
fuse submission." 

"  I  have  brought  up  my  daughter  to  habits  of 
strict,  unquestioning  obedience,  Aunt  Wealthy/' 
he  said,  "  and  I  think  they  will  stand  her  in  good 
stead  now.  I  have  no  fear  that  she  will  rebel." 

A  half  hour  with  her  best  Friend  had  done 
much  to  soothe  and  calm  our  sweet  Elsie;  she  had 
cast  her  burden  on  the  Lord  and  He  sustained 
her.  She  knew  that  no  trial  could  come  to  her 
without  His  will,  that  He  had  permitted  this  foi 
her  good,  that  in  His  own  good  time  and  way  He 
would  remove  it,  and  she  was  willing  to  leave  it  all 
with  Him;  for  was  He  not  all-wise,  all-powerful, 
and  full  of  tenderest,  pitying  love  for  her? 

She  had  great  faith  in  the  wisdom  and  love  of 
her  earthly  father  also,  and  doubted  not  that  he 
was  doing  what  he  sincerely  believed  to  be  for 
her  happiness, — giving  her  present  pain  only  in 
order  to  save  her  from  keener  and  more  lasting 
distress  and  anguish  in  the  future. 


256  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

It  was  well  for  her  that  she  had  such  trust  in 
him  and  that  their  mutual  love  was  so  deep  and 
strong;  well  too  that  she  was  troubled  with  no 
doubts  of  the  duty  of  implicit  obedience  to  pa- 
rental authority  when  not  opposed  to  the  higher 
commands  of  God.  Her  heart  still  clung  to 
Egerton,  refusing  to  credit  his  utter  unworthi- 
ness,  and  she  felt  it  a  bitter  trial  to  be  thus  com- 
pletely separated  from  him,  yet  hoped  that  at 
some  future,  and  perhaps  not  distant  day,  he 
might  be  able  to  convince  her  father  of  his  mis- 
take. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  felt  it  impossible  to  remain  long 
away  from  his  suffering  child;  after  leaving  the 
table,  a  few  moments  only  were  spent  in  conver- 
sation with  his  aunt  and  Mr.  Travilla,  and  then 
he  sought  his  darling  in  her  room. 

"  My  poor  little  pet,  you  have  been  too  long 
away  from  your  father,"  he  said,  taking  her  in 
his  arms  again.  "  I  shall  never  forgive  myself  for 
allowing  it.  But,  daughter,  why  was  this  thing 
suffered  to  go  on?  Your  letters  never  spoke  of 
this  man  in  a  way  to  lead  me  to  suppose  that  he 
was  paying  you  serious  attention;  and  indeed  I 
did  not  intend  to  permit  that  from  any  one  yet." 

"  Papa,  I  did  not  deceive  you  intentionally,  I 
did  not  mean  to  be  disobedient,"  she  said  implor- 
ingly. "  Lottie  and  I  were  almost  always  to- 
gether, and  I  did  not  think  of  him  as  a  lover  till 
he  spoke." 

"Well,  dearest,  I  am  not  chiding  you;  your 
father  could  never  find  it  in  his  heart  to  add  one 
needless  pang  to  what  you  are  already  suffering." 
His  tone  was  full  of  pitying  tenderness. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  257 

She  made  no  answer;  only  hid  her  face  on  his 
breast  and  wept  silently.  "  Papa,"  she  mur- 
mured at  length.  "  I — I  do  so  want  to  break  one 
of  your  rules;  oh,  if  you  would  only  let  me,  just 
this  once! "  \ 

"  A  strange  request,  my  darling,"  he  said,  "  but 
which  of  them  is  it?" 

"  That  when  you  have  once  decided  a  matter  I 
must  never  ask  you  to  reconsider.  Oh,  papa,  do, 
do  let  me  entreat  you  just  this  once!  " 

"  I  think  it  will  be  useless,  daughter,  only  giv- 
ing me  the  pain  of  refusing,  and  you  of  being  re- 
fused; but  you  may  say  on." 

"  Papa,  it  is  that  I  may  write  a  little  note  to — 
to  Mr.  Egerton,"  she  said,  speaking  eagerly  and 
rapidJy,  yet  half  trembling  at  her  own  temerity 
the  while,  "  just  to  tell  him  that  I  cannot  do  any- 
thing against  your  will,  and  that  he  must  not 
come  near  me  or  try  to  hold  any  sort  of  inter- 
course with  me  till  you  give  consent;  but  that  I 
have  not  lost  my  faith  in  him,  and  if  he  is  innocent 
and  unjustly  suspected,  we  need  not  be  wretched 
and  despairing;  for  God  will  surely  some  dayl 
cause  it  to  be  made  apparent.  Oh,  papa,  may  I 
not?  Please,  please  let  me!  I  will  bring  it  to 
you  when  written,  and  there  shall  not  be  one  word 
in  it  that  you  do  not  approve."  She  had  lifted 
her  face,  and  the  soft,  beseeching  eyes  were  look- 
ing pleadingly  into  his. 

"  My  dearest  child,"  he  said,  "  it  is  hard  to  re- 
fuse you,  but  I  cannot  allow  it.  There,  there!  do 
not  cry  so  bitterly;  every  tear  I  see  you  shed  sends 
a  pang  to  my  heart.  Listen  to  me,  daughter. 
Believing  what  I  do  of  that  man,  I  would  not  for 


258  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD, 

Ok  great  deal  have  him  in  possession  of  a  single 
line  of  your  writing.  Have  you  ever  given  him 
one?" 

"  No,  papa,  never,"  she  sobbed. 

"Or  received  one  from  him?" 

"No,  sir." 

"  It  is  well."  Then  as  if  a  sudden  thought  had 
struck  him,  "  Elsie,  have  you  ever  allowed  him  to 
touch  your  lips?"  he  asked  almost  sternly. 

"No,  papa,  not  even  my  cheek.  I  would  not 
while  we  were  not  engaged;  and  that  could  not  be 
without  your  consent." 

"  I  am  truly  thankful  for  that! "  he  exclaimed 
in  a  tone  of  relief;  "to  know  that  he  had — that 
these  sweet  lips  had  been  polluted  by  contact 
with  his — would  be  worse  to  me  than  the  loss  of 
half  my  fortune."  And  lifting  her  face  as  he 
spoke,  he  pressed  his  own  to  them  again  and 
again. 

But  for  the  first  time  in  her  life  she  turned 
from  him  as  if  almost  loathing  his  caresses,  and 
struggled  to  release  herself  from  the  clasp  of  his 
*rm. 

He  let  her  go,  and  hurrying  to  the  farther  side 
")f  the  room,  she  stood  leaning  against  the  win- 
dow-frame, with  her  back  toward  him,  shedding 
yery  bitter  tears  of  mingled  grief  and  anger. 

But  in  the  pauses  of  her  sobbing  a  deep  sigh 
struck  upon  her  ear.  Her  heart  smote  her  at  the 
sound;  still  more  as  she  glanced  back  at  her 
father  and  noted  the  pained  expression  of  bis  eye 
as  it  met  hers.  In  a  moment  she  was  at  his  side 
again,  down  upon  the  carpet,  with  her  head  laid 
lovingly  on  his  knee. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  259 

*  Papa,  I  am  sorry."  The  low,  sweet  voice  was 
tremulous  with  grief  and  penitence. 

"  My  poor  darling,  my  poor  little  pet!  "  he  said, 
passing  his  hand  with  soft,  caressing  movement 
over  her  hair  and  cheek,  "  try  to  keep  your  love 
for  your  father  and  your  faith  in  his  for  you,  how- 
ever hard  this  rule  may  seem." 

"Ah,  papa,  my  heart  would  break  if  I  lost 
either,"  she  sobbed.  Then  lifting  her  tear- 
dimmed  eyes  with  tender  concern  to  his  face, 
which  was  very  pale  and  sad,  "  Dear  papa,"  she 
said,  "how  tired  you  look!  you  were  up  all  night, 
were  you  not?" 

"  Last  night  and  the  one  before  it." 

"  That  you  might  hasten  here  to  take  care  of 
me,"  she  murmured  in  a  tone  of  mingled  regret 
and  gratitude.  "  Do  lie  down  now  and  take  a 
nap.  This  couch  is  soft  and  pleasant,  and  I  will 
close  the  blinds  and  sit  by  your  side  to  keep  off 
the  flies." 

He  yielded  to  her  persuasions,  saying  as  he 
closed  his  eyes,  "Don't  leave  the  room  without 
waking  me." 

She  was  still  there  when  he  woke,  close  at  his 
Bide  and  ready  to  greet  him  with  an  affectionate 
look  and  smile,  though  the  latter  was  touchingly 
sad  and  there  were  traces  of  tears  on  her  cheeks. 

"  How  long  have  I  slept?  "  he  asked. 

"  Two  hours,"  she  answered,  holding  up  her 
watch,  "  and  there  is  the  tea-bell." 


CHAPTEK  XVIII. 

What  thou  bidst, 
Unargued  I  obey  ;  so  God  ordained. 

— MILTON. 

"  I  HOPE  you  don't  intend  to  hurry  this  child 
away  from  me,  Horace?  "  remarked  Miss  Stan- 
hope inquiringly,  glancing  from  him  to  Elsie,  as 
she  poured  out  the  tea. 

"I'm  afraid  I  must,  Aunt  Wealthy,"  he  an- 
swered, taking  his  cup  from  her  hand,  "  I  can't 
do  without  her  any  longer,  and  mamma  and  little 
brother  want  her  almost  as  badly." 

"  And  what  am  I  to  do?  "  cried  Miss  Stanhope, 
setting  down  the  teapot,  and  dropping  her  hands 
into  her  lap.  "  It  just  makes  a  baby  of  me  to 
think  how  lonely  the  old  house  will  seem  when 
she's  gone.  You'd  get  her  back  soon,  for  'tisn't 
likely  I've  got  long  to  live,  if  you'd  only  give  her 
to  me,  Horace." 

"No,  indeed,  Aunt  Wealthy;  she's  a  treasure 
I  can't  spare  to  any  one.  She  belongs  to  me,  and 
I  intend  to  keep  her,"  turning  upon  his  daughter 
a  proud,  fond  look  and  smile,  which  was  answered 
by  one  of  sweet,  confiding  affection. 

"  Good-evening! "  cried  a  gay,  girlish  voice. 
"  Mr.  Dinsmore,  I'd  be  delighted  to  see  you,  if  I 
didn't  know  you'd  come  to  rob  us  of  Elsie." 

"What,  you  too  ready  to  abuse  me  on  that 
score,  Miss  Lottie?  "  he  said  laughingly,  as  he  rose 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  261 

to  shake  hands  with  her.  "I  think  I  rather 
deserve  thanks  for  leaving  her  with  you  so  long." 

"  Well,  I  suppose  you  do.  Aunt  Wealthy,  papa 
found  some  remarkably  fine  peaches  in  the  or- 
chard of  one  of  his  patients,  and  begs  you  will 
accept  this  little  basketful." 

"  Why,  they're  beautiful,  Lottie!  "  said  the  old 
lady,  rising  and  taking  the  basket  from  her  hand. 
"  You  must  return  my  best  thanks  to  your  father. 
I'll  set  them  on  the  table  just  so.  Take  off  your 
hat,  child,  and  sit  down  with  us.  There's  your 
chair  all  ready  to  your  plate,  and  Phillis's  farmer's 
fresh  fruit-cake,  to  tempt  you,  and  the  cream- 
biscuits  that  you  are  so  fond  of,  both." 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Lottie,  partly  in  acknowl- 
edgment of  the  invitation,  partly  of  Mr.  Travilla's 
attention,  as  he  rose  and  gallantly  handed  her  to 
her  seat,  "  I  can't  find  it  in  my  heart  to  resist  so 
many  temptations." 

"  Shall  I  bring  a  dish  for  de  peaches,  mistis?  " 
asked  Chloe,  who  was  waiting  on  the  table. 

"Yes." 

"  Oh,  let  us  have  them  in  that  old-fashioned 
china  fruit-basket  I've  always  admired  so  much, 
Aunt  Wealthy! "  cried  Lottie  eagerly.  "I  don't 
believe  Elsie  has  seen  it  at  all." 

"  No,  so  she  hasn't;  but  she  shall  now,"  said 
the  old  lady,  hastening  toward  her  china-closet. 
"  There,  Aunt  Chloe,  just  stand  on  the  dish,  and 
hand  down  that  chair  from  this  top  shelf.  Or, 
if  you  would,  Horace,  you're  taller,  and  can  reach 
better.  I'm  always  like  the  sycamore  tree  that 
was  little  of  stature,  and  couldn't  see  Zaccheua 
till  he  climbed  into  it." 


262  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"Rather  a  new  and  improved  version  of  the 
Bible  narrative,  aunt,  isn't  it?  "  asked  Mr.  Dins- 
more,  with  an  amused  look,  as  he  came  toward 
her.  "  And  I  fear  I'm  rather  heavy  to  stand  on 
a  dish;  but  will  use  the  chair  instead,  if  you 
like." 

"Ah!  I've  put  the  horse  before  the  cart  as 
usual,  I  see;"  she  said,  joining  good-humoredly 
in  the  laugh  the  others  found  it  impossible  to 
suppress.  "  It's  an  old  trick  of  my  age,  that  in- 
creases with  my  advancing  youth,  till  I  some- 
times wonder  what  I'm  coming  to;  the  words  will 
tangle  themselves  up  in  the  most  troublesome 
fashion;  but  if  you  know  what  I  mean,  I  suppose 
it's  all  the  same." 

"  Why,  Aunt  "Wealthy,  this  is  really  beauti- 
ful," said  Mr.  Dinsmore,  stepping  from  the  chair 
with  the  basket  in  his  hand. 

"  Yes,  it  belonged  to  your  great-grandmother, 
Horace,  and  I  prize  it  highly  on  that  accdunt. 
!N"o,  Aunt  Chloe,  I  shall  wipe  it  out  and  put  the 
peaches  into  it  myself;  it  will  take  but  a  mo- 
ment, and  it's  too  precious  a  relic  to  trust  to  any 
other  hands  than  my  own." 

Lottie  was  apparently  in  the  gayest  spirits,  en- 
livening the  little  party  with  many  a  merry  jest 
and  light,  silvery  laugh,  enjoying  the  good  things 
before  her,  and  gratifying  her  hostess  with 
praises  of  their  excellence.  Yet  through  it  all 
she  was  furtively  watching  her  friend,  and 
grieved  to  notice  the  unwonted  paleness  of  her 
cheek,  the  traces  of  tears  about  her  eyes,  that 
her  cheerfulness  was  assumed,  and  that  if  she  ate 
anything  it  was  only  from  a  desire  to  please  her 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  263 

father,  who  seemed  never  to  forget  her  for  a  mo- 
ment, and  to  be  a  good  deal  troubled  at  her  want 
of  appetite.  In  all  these  signs  Lottie  read  disap- 
pointment of  Egerton's  hopes,  and  of  Elsie's,  so 
far  as  he  was  concerned. 

"  So  I  suppose  her  father  has  commanded  her 
to  give  him  up,"  she  said  to  herself.  "  Poor 
thing!  I  wonder  if  she  means  to  be  as  submissive 
as  she  thought  she  would." 

The  two  presently  slipped  away  together  into 
the  garden,  leaving  the  gentlemen  conversing  in 
the  sitting-room,  and  Miss  Stanhope  busied  with 
some  household  care. 

"  You  poor  dear,  I  am  so  sorry  for  you!  "  whis- 
pered Lottie,  putting  her  arm  about  her  friend. 
"  Must  you  really  quite  give  him  up  ?  " 

"  Papa  says  so,"  murmured  Elsie,  vainly  strug- 
gling to  restrain  her  tears. 

"  Is  it  that  he  believes  Mr.  Travi-la  was  not 
mistaken?  " 

"Yes,  and — and  he  has  heard  some  other 
things  against  him,  and  thinks  his  explanation  of 
Mr.  Travilla's  mistake  quite  absurd.  Oh,  Lottie, 
he  will  not  even  allow  us  one  parting  interview 
and  says  I  am  never  to  see  Mr.  Egerton  again,  or 
hold  any  comunicatioa  with  him  in  any  way.  If 
I  should  meet  him  in  the  street  I  am  not  to  recog- 
nize him;  must  pass  him  by  as  a  perfect  stranger, 
not  looking  at  him  or  permitting  him  to  see  my 
face,  if  I  can  avoid  doing  so." 

"And  will  you  really  submit  to  all  that?  I 
don't  believe  I  could  be  so  good." 

"I  must;  papa  will  always  be  obeyed." 

"  But  don't  you  feel  that  it's  very  hard?  doesn't 


264  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

it  make  you  feel  angry  with  your  father  and  love 
him  a  little  less?" 

"  I  was  angry  for  a  little  while  this  afternoon," 
Elsie  acknowledged  with  a  blush,  "  but  I  am  sure 
I  have  no  right  to  be;  I  know  papa  is  acting  for 
my  good, — doing  just  what  he  believes  will  be 
most  likely  to  secure  my  happiness.  He  says  it 
is  to  save  me  from  a  life  of  misery,  and  certainly 
it  would  be  that  to  be  united  to  such  a  man  as  he 
believes  Mr.  Egerton  is." 

"  But  you  don't  believe  it,  Elsie?  " 

"  No,  no,  indeed!  I  have  not  lost  my  faith  in 
him  yet,  and  I  hope  he  may  some  day  be  able  to 
prove  to  papa's  entire  satisfaction  that  he  is 
really  all  that  is  good,  noble,  and  honorable." 

"  That  is  right;  hope  on,  hope  ever." 

"Ah,  I  don't  know  how  we  could  live  without 
hope,"  Elsie  said,  smiling  faintly  through  her 
tears.  "But  I  ought  not  to  be  wretched — oh, 
very  far  from  it,  with  so  many  blessings,  so  many 
to  love  me!  Papa's  love  alone  would  brighten 
life  very  much  to  me.  And  then,"  she  added  in  a 
lower  tone,  "'that  dearer  Friend  that  sticketh 
closer  than  a  brother/  and  who  has  promised,  '  I 
,will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee.' " 

"And  He  will  keep  His  promise,  child,"  said 
Aunt  Wealthy,  joining  them  in  the  arbor  where 
they  had  seated  themselves.  "  I  have  proved  His 
faithfulness  many  times,  and  I  know  that  it  never 
fails.  Elsie,  dear,  your  old  auntie  would  save  you 
from  every  trial,  but  He  is  a  far  wiser  and  truer 
friend,  and  will  cause  all  things  to  work  together 
for  your  good,  and  never  allow  you  to  suffer  one 
unneeded  pang."  She  softly  stroke-d  her  niece's 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  265 

gunny  hair,  as  she  spoke,  and  the  kind  old  face 
was  full  of  pitying  tenderness. 

"  Come  back  to  the  house  now,  dears,"  she 
added,  "  I  think  the  dew  is  beginning  to  fall,  and 
I  heard  my  nephew  asking  for  his  daughter." 

"  How  much  longer  may  we  hope  to  keep  you, 
Elsie?"  Lottie  asked  as  they  wended  their  way 
toward  the  house. 

"  Papa  has  set  Monday  evening  for  the  time 
of  leaving." 

"  And  this  is  Friday;  so  we  shall  have  but  two 
more  rides  together.  Oh,  dear!  how  I  shall  miss 
you  when  you're  gone." 

"  And  I  you.  I  shall  never  forget  what  pleasant 
times  we  have  had  together;  Aunt  Wealthy  and 
you  and  I.  You  musn't  let  her  miss  me  too  much, 
Lottie."  And  Elsie  turned  an  affectionate  look 
upon  her  aged  relative. 

"  As  if  I  could  prevent  it!  But  I'll  do  my  best; 
you  may  rest  assured  of  that." 

"You  are  dear  girls,  both  of  you,"  said  Miss 
Stanhope  with  a  very  perceptible  tremble  in  her 
voice,  "  and  you  have  brightened  my  home  won- 
derfully; if  I  could  only  keep  you!  " 

"Well,  auntie,  you're  not  likely  to  lose  me  al- 
together for  some  time  yet,"  returned  Lottie 
gayly,  though  the  tears  shone  in  her  eyes. 

Bromly  Egerton  went  out  from  Mr.  Dinsmore's 
presence  with  his  temper  at  a  white  teat,  for  he 
had  just  been  treated  to  some  plain  truths  that 
were  far  from  palatable;  besides  which  it  seemed 
evident  that  he  had  missed  the  prize  he  so  coveted 
and  had  made  such  strenuous  efforts  to  win. 
He  had  learned  nothing  new  in  regard  to  his  own 


268  ELSIE'S  GIELHOOD. 

character,  yet  somehow  it  had  never  looked  so 
black  as  now,  when  seen  through  the  spectacles 
of  an  upright,  honest,  vice-detesting  Christian 
gentleman.  He  writhed  at  the  very  recollection 
of  the  disgust,  loathing,  and  contempt  expressed 
in  Mr.  Dinsmore's  voice  and  countenance  as  well 
as  in  his  words. 

He  scarcely  gave  a  thought  to  the  loss  of  Elsie 
herself;  he  had  no  feeling  for  her  at  all  worthy 
of  the  name  of  love;  his  base,  selfish  nature  was, 
indeed,  hardly  capable  of  such  a  sentiment;  espe- 
cially toward  one  so  refined,  so  guileless  in  her 
childlike  innocence  and  purity  that  to  be  with 
her  gave  him  an  uncomfortable  sense  of  his  own 
moral  inferiority. 

No,  the  wounds  under  which  he  smarted  were 
all  stabs  given  to  his  self-love  and  cupidity.  He 
had  learned  how  honest  men  looked  upon  him; 
and  he  had  failed  in  the  cherished  expectation  of 
laying  his  hands  upon  a  great  fortune,  which  he 
had  fondly  hoped  to  have  the  opportunity  of 
spending. 

Eushing  into  the  street,  boiling  with  rage  and 
shame,  he  hurried  onward,  scarcely  knowing 
or  caring  whither  ke  went;  out  into  the  open 
country,  and  on  through  woods  and  over  hills  he 
tramped,  nor  thought  of  turning  back  till  the  sun 
had  set,  and  darkness  began  to  creep  about  his 
path. 

There  was  light  in  Miss  Stanhope's  parlor  and 
strains  of  rich  melody  greeted  his  ear  as  he  passed. 
He  turned  away  with  a  muttered  imprecation, 
crossed  the  street,  and  entered  Mrs.  Schilling's 
gate.  She  was  sitting  no  her  doorstep,  resting 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  267 

after  her  day's  work,  and  enjoying  the  cool  even- 
ing air. 

"  Why,  la  me,  Mr.  Egerton!  is  that  you?  "  she 
cried,  starting  up,  and  stepping  aside  for  him  to 
pass  in.  "  I'd  really  begun  to  think  you  was  lost. 
The  fire's  been  out  and  everything  cleared  away 
this  two  hours.  I  kep'  the  table  a-waitin'  for  you 
a  right  smart  spell,  but  finally  come  to  the  con- 
clusion that  you  must  'a'  stayed  to  Miss  Stan- 
hope's or  someone  else,  to  tea." 

"  No,  I've  not  had  supper,"  he  answered  gruffly. 

"You  haint,  eh?  and  I  'spose  you're  hungry, 
too.  Well,  sit  down,  and  I'll  hunt  up  something 
or  'nother.  But  I'm  afraid  you'll  get  the  dyspepsy 
eatin'  so  late;  why,  it's  nigh  on  to  ten  o'clock,  and 
I  was  just  a-thinkin'  about  shuttin'  up  and  going 
off  to  bed." 

"  Well,  you'll  not  be  troubled  with  me  long.  I 
shall  leave  the  place  in  a  few  days." 

"  Leave  Lansdale,  do  you  mean?  " 

"  Yes." 

"Why,  what's  up?" 

"  The  time  I  had  appropriated  to  rest  and  rec- 
reation. Business  men  can't  play  forever." 

"Well,  I  shouldn't  wonder.  And  Mr.  Dins- 
more's  come  after  his  daughter,  too." 

"  What's  that  got  to  do  with  it?  "  he  muttered. 
But  she  had  left  the  room  and  was  out  of  hear- 
ing. 

Before  closing  his  eyes  in  sleep  that  night, 
Egerton  resolved  to  make  a  moving  appeal  to  El- 
sie herself.  He  would  write  and  find  some  means 
by  which  to  get  the  letter  into  her  hands.  Di- 
rectly after  breakfast  he  sat  down  to  his  task, 


268  ELSIE'S    GIRLHOOD. 

placing  himself  in  a  position  to  constantly  over- 
look Miss  Stanhope's  house  and  grounds.  He 
was  hoping  to  get  sight  of  Elsie,  and  anxious  to 
watch  Mr.  Dinsmore's  movements.  Mrs.  Schil- 
ling had  informed  him  that  "  Miss  Stanhope's 
friends  didn't  expect  to  leave  till  sometime  a 
Monday;  so  she  had  learned  from  Phillis,  through 
Lenwilla  Ellawea.,  who  had  been  sent  over  for  a 
little  of  Phillis's  light'ning,  to  raise  some  biscuits 
for  breakfast/'  yet  he  had  some  fear  that  the  in- 
formation might  prove  unreliable,  and  Mr.  Dins- 
more  slip  away  with  his  daughter  that  day. 

That  fear  was  presently  relieved  by  seeing  Si- 
mon bringing  out  the  horses  for  the  young  ladies, 
and  shortly  after  a  livery-stable  man  leading  up 
two  fine  steeds,  evidently  intended  for  the  use  of 
the  gentlemen.  He  now  laid  down  his  pen,  and 
kept  close  watch  for  a  few  moments,  when  he  was 
rewarded  by  seeing  the  whole  party  come  out, 
mount,  and  ride  away;  Mr.  Dinsmore  beside  his 
daughter,  Mr.  Travilla  with  Lottie.  Elsie,  how- 
ever, was  so  closely  veiled  that  he  could  not  so 
much  as  catch  a  glimpse  of  her  face. 

With  a  muttered  oath,  he  took  up  his  pen  again, 
feeing  more  desirous  than  ever  to  outwit  "  that 
haughty  Southerner,"  jand  secure  the  prize  in 
spite  of  him. 

Half  an  hour  afterward  Simon,  who  was  at 
work  gathering  corn  and  tomatoes  for  dinner  in 
the  garden  behind  the  house,  heard  some  one 
calling  softly  to  him  from  the  other  side  of  the 
fence.  Turning  his  head,  he  saw  Mr.  Egerton 
standing  there,  motioning  to  him  to  draw  near. 

"  Good-mornin',  sah.     What  you  want,  sah  ?  " 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  269 

inquired  the  lad,  setting  down  his  basket,  and 
approaching  the  fence  that  separated  them. 

"  Do  you  know  what  this  is  ?  "  asked  Egerton, 
holding  up  a  small  glittering  object. 

"  Yes,  sah;  five-dollar  gold  piece,  sah,"  replied 
the  negro,  bowing  and  chuckling.  "What  de 
gentleman  want  dis  niggah  do  for  to  am  'em?  " 

"  To  put  this  into  Miss  Dinsmore's  hands,"  an- 
swered Egerton,  showing  a  letter;  "  into  her  own 
hands,  now,  mind.  If  you  do  that,  the  five  dollars 
are  yours;  and  if  you  bring  me  an  answer,  I'll 
make  it  ten.  But  you  are  to  manage  it  so  that 
no  one  else  shall  see  what  you  do.  Do  you  under- 
stand?" 

"  Yes,  sah,  and  I  bet  I  do  it  up  about  right, 
sah." 

Very  anxious  to  win  the  coveted  reward,  Si- 
mon was  careful  to  be  on  hand  when  the  riding 
party  returned.  He  stationed  himself  near  El- 
fiie's  horse.  Her  father  assisted  her  to  alight,  and 
as  he  turned  to  make  a  remark  to  Lottie,  Simon, 
being  on  the  alert,  managed  to  slip  the  note  into 
Elsie's  hand,  unperceived  by  Mr.  Dinsmore,  or 
the  others. 

She  gave  a  start  of  surprise,  turning  her  eyes 
inquiringly  upon  him,  the  rich  color  rushing  all 
over  her  fair  face  and  neck;  as  he  could  see,  even 
through  the  folds  of  her  th,ick  veil. 

Simon  grinned  broadly,  as,  by  a  nod  and  wink 
toward  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  he  indi- 
cated whence  the  missive  had  come. 

She  turned  and  walked  quickly  toward  the 
house,  her  heart  beating  very  fast  and  loud,  and 
her  fingers  tightly  clasping  the  note  underneath 


270  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

the  folds  of  her  long  riding-skirt,  as  she  held  it 
up.  She  hurried  to  her  room,  shut  and  locked  the 
door,  and,  throwing  off  her  hat  and  veil,  dropped 
into  a  seat,  trembling  in  every  limb  with  the  agi- 
tation and  excitement  of  her  feelings.  She 
longed  intently  to  know  what  he  had  said  to  her; 
but  she  had  never  deceived  or  wilfully  disobeyed 
her  father,  and  should  she  begin  now?  The  temp- 
tation was  very  great,  and  perhaps  she  would  have 
yielded;  but  Mr.  Dinsmore's  step  came  quickly 
up  the  stairs,  and  the  next  moment  he  rapped 
lightly  on  the  door. 

She  rose  and  opened  it,  at  the  same  time  slip- 
ping the  note  into  her  pocket. 

"Why,  my  darling,  what  is  the  matter?"  he 
asked,  looking  much  concerned  at  the  sight  of 
her  pale,  agitated  countenance. 

"  Oh,  papa,  if  you  would  let  me!  if  you  only 
would! "  she  cried,  bursting  into  tears,  and  put- 
ting her  arms  coaxingly  about  his  neck. 

"  Let  you  do  what,  my  child?  "  he  asked,  strok- 
ing her  hair. 

"  Eead  this,"  she  said,  in  a  choking  voice,  tak- 
ing the  note  from  her  pocket.  "  Oh,  if  you  knew 
how  much  I  want  to!  Mayn't  I,  papa?^do,  dear 
papa,  say  yes." 

"  No,  Elsie;  it  grieves  me  to  deny  you,  but  it 
must  go  back  unopened.  Give  it  to  me." 

She  put  it  into  his  hand  and  turned  away  with 
a  sob. 

"How  did  it  come  into  your  hands?"  he  in- 
quired, going  to  her  writing-desk  for  an  envel- 
ope, pen  and  ink. 

"  Must  I  tell  you,  papa?  "  she  asked,  in  a  tone 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  271 

that  spoke  reluctance  to  give  the  information  Eei 
required. 

"  Certainly." 

"  Simon  gave  it  to  me  a  few  moments  since." 

He  touched  the  bell,  and,  Chloe  appearing  in 
answer,  bade  her  take  that  note  to  the  house  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  street. 

"  Thre  is  no  message,"  he  added;  "  it  is  di- 
rected to  Mr.  Egerton,  and  you  have  nothing  to 
do  but  to  hand  it  in  at  the  door." 

"  Yes,  sah."  And  with  a  sorrowful,  pitying 
glance  at  the  wet  eyes  of  her  young  mistress,  the 
faithful  old  creature  left  the  room. 

"  My  poor  little  daughter,  you  feel  now  that 
your  father  is  very  cruel,"  Mr.  Dinsmore  said 
tenderly,  taking  Elsie  in  his  arms  again,  "  but 
some  day  you  will  thank  me  for  all  this." 

She  only  laid  her  face  down  on  his  breast  and 
cried  bitterly,  while  he  soothed  her  with  caresses 
and  words  of  fatherly  endearment. 

"  Oh,  papa,  don't  be  vexed  with  me,"  she  mur- 
mured at  length.  "  I'm  trying  not  to  be  rebel- 
lious, but  it  seems  so  like  condemning  him  un- 
heard." 

"  No,  my  child,  it  is  not.  I  gave  him  the  op- 
portunity to  refute  the  charges  against  him,  but 
he  has  no  proof  to  bring." 

"  Papa,  he  said  it  would  break  his  heart  to  lose 
me,"  she  cried  with  a  fresh  burst  of  grief. 

"  My  dear  child,  he  has  no  heart  to  break.  If 
he  could  get  possession  of  your  property,  he  would 
care  very  little  indeed  what  became  of  you." 

Mr.  Dinsmore  spoke  very  decidedly,  but,  though 
silenced,  Elsie  was  not  convinced. 


S72  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

Egerton,  watching  through  the  half-closed 
blinds  of  his  bed-room,  had  seen,  with  a  chuckle 
of  delight,  the  success  of  Simon's  manoeuvre,  and 
Elsie  hurrying  into  the  house;  for  the  purpose — 
he  had  scarcely  a  doubt — of  secretly  reading  and 
answering  his  note.  He  saw  Chloe  crossing  the 
street,  and  thought  that  her  young  mistress  had 
sent  him  a  hasty  line,  perhaps  to  appoint  the  time 
and  place  of  a  clandestine  meeting;  for  such  con- 
fidence had  he  in  his  own  powers  of  fascination 
for  all  the  fair  sex,  that  he  could  not  think 
it  possible  she  could  give  him  up  without  a 
struggle. 

Lenwilla  went  to  the  door,  and  in  his  eagerness 
to  receive  the  message  he  ran  out  and  met  her 
on  the  landing.  What  was  his  "disappointment 
and  chagrin  at  sight  of  the  bold,  masculine  char- 
acters on  the  outside,  and  only  his  own  handwrit- 
ing within! 

"  Sent  back  unopened!  The  girl  must  be  a 
fool!"  he  cried,  fairly  gnashing  his  teeth  with 
rage.  "  She  could  have  managed  it  easily  enough; 
she  had  the  best  chance  in  the  world,  for  he  didn't 
see  her  take  it,  I  know." 

He  considered  a  moment,  put  on  his  hat,  and, 
walking  over  to  Dr.  King's,  inquired  for  Miss 
Lottie. 

"  Jist  walk  intil  the  parlor,  sir,"  said  Bridget, 
"  an'  I'll  call  the  young  lady." 

Lottie  came  to  him  presently,  with  her  kind 
face  full  of  regret  and  sympathy. 

He  told  his  tale,  produced  his  note,  and  begged 
her  to  be  his  messenger,  saying  he  supposed  Mr. 
Dinsmore  had  come  upon  Elsie  before  she  had 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  273 

time  to  read  it,  and  he  thought  it  hard  for  both 
her  and  himself  that  she  should  not  have  the 
chance. 

"  Yes/'  said  Lottie,  "  but  I  am  very  sure  she 
would  not  read  it  without  her  father's  permission, 
and  you  may  depend  upon  it,  she  showed  it  to 
him  of  her  own  accord." 

He  shook  his  head  with  an  incredulous  smile. 
"  Do  you  really  think  she  has  so  little  sense?  Or 
is  it  that  you  believe  she  too  has  turned  against 
me?" 

"  No,  she  has  not  turned  against  you,  she  be- 
lieves in  you  still;  nor  is  she  wanting  in  sense; 
but  she  is  extremely  conscientious  about  obeying 
her  father,  and  told  me  she  meant  to  be  entirely 
submissive,  whatever  it  cost  her." 

"  I  can  hardly  think  you  are  right,"  he  said, 
with  another  of  his  incredulous  smiles,  "  but  even 
supposing  she  was  silly  enough  to  hand  my  note 
over  to  her  father,  I  should  like  to  give  her  an 
opportunity  to  retrieve  her  error,  so  won't  you 
undertake  " — 

"  Don't  ask  me  to  carry  it  to  her,"  interrupted 
Lottie.  "  It  would  go  against  my  conscience  to 
tempt  Elsie  to  do  violence  to  hers,  I  do  assure 
you,  though  I  have  no  idea  I  should  be  success- 
ful. So  you  really  must  excuse  me." 

He  tried  argument  and  persuasion  by  turns, 
but  Lottie  stood  firm  in  her  refusal,  and  at  length 
he  went  away,  evidently  very  angry. 

Lottie  spent  the  evening  with  her  friend,  and 
when  a  fitting  opportunity  offered  gave  her  an 
account  of  this  interview  with  Egerton,  Elsie 
telling  her  in  return  something  of  what  had 


974  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

passed  between  her  father  and  herself  in  regard 
to  the  note. 

That  Egerton  had  desired  to  tempt  her  to  dis- 
obedience and  deception  did  not  tend  to  increase 
Elsie's  esteem  and  admiration  for  him,  but  quite 
the  reverse. 

"  I  think  he'll  not  prevent  me  from  getting 
sight  of  her  to-day,"  muttered  Egerton,  station- 
ing himself  at  the  front  window  the  next  morn- 
ing, as  the  hour  for  church  drew  near. 

He  had  not  been  there  long,  when  he  saw  Miss 
Stanhope  and  Mr.  Travilla,  then  Mr.  Dinsmore 
and  Elsie,  come  out  of  the  house  and  cross  the 
lawn.  He  made  a  hasty  exit  and  was  in  the  act 
of  opening  Mrs.  Schilling's  front  gate  as  the  lat- 
ter couple  reached  the  one  opposite. 

"  Put  down  your  veil,  Elsie;  take  my  arm;  and 
don't  look  toward  that  man  at  all,"  commanded 
her  father,  and  she  obeyed. 

Egerton  kept  opposite  to  them  all  the  way  to 
the  church,  but  without  accomplishing  his  object. 
He  followed  them  in  and  placed  himself  in  a  pew 
on  the  other  side  of  the  aisle,  and  a  little  nearer 
the  front  than  Miss  Stanhope's,  so  that,  by  turn- 
ing half  way  round,  he  could  look  into  the  faces 
of  its  occupants.  But  Elsie  kept  hers  partly  con- 
cealed by  her  veil,  and  never  once  turned  her  eyes 
in  his  direction. 

She  was  seated  next  her  father,  who  seemed  to 
watch  her  almost  constantly — not  with  the  air 
of  a  jailer,  but  with  a  sort  of  tender,  protecting 
care,  as  one  keeping  guard  over  something  be- 
longing to  him,  and  which  he  esteemed  very  sweet 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  275 

and  precious, — while  now  and  then  her  soft  eyes 
were  lifted  to  his  for  an  instant  with  a  look  of 
loving  reverence. 

"  Poor  Elsie  was  well  watched  to-day,"  re- 
marked Nettie  King  to  her  sister  as  they  walked 
home  together;  "  her  father  scarcely  took  his  eyes 
off  her  for  five  consecutive  minutes,  I  should 
think;  and  Mr.  Egerton  stared  at  her  from  the 
time  he  came  in  till  the  benediction  was  pro- 
nounced." 

"Yes,  I  thought  he  was  decidedly  rude." 

"  Isn't  Mr.  Dinsmore  excessively  strict  and  ex- 
acting? " 

"  Yes,  I  think  so;  yet  he  dotes  on  her,  and  she 
on  him.  I  never  saw  a  father  and  daughter  so 
completely  wrapped  up  in  each  other." 

They  were  now  within  sight  of  their  own  home," 
and  Miss  Stanhope's. 

"  Just  look!  "  cried  Nettie,  "  I  do  "believe  Eger- 
ton means  to  force  himself  upon  their  notice  and 
compel  Elsie  to  speak  to  him." 

He  was  crossing  the  street  so  as  to  meet  them 
face  to  face,  just  at  the  gate,  giving  them  no 
chance  to  avoid  the  rencontre. 

"  Good-morning,  Miss  Dinsmore,"  he  said  in 
a  loud,  cordial  tone  of  greeting,  as  they  neared 
each  other. 

Elsie  started  and  tightened  her  grasp  of  her 
father's  arm,  but  neither  looked  up  nor  spoke. 

"  My  daughter  acknowledges  no  acquaintance 
with  you,  sir,"  answered  Mr.  Dinsmore,  haughtily, 
and  Egerton  turned  and  strode  angrily  away. 


2?6  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  There,  Elsie,  you  see  what  he  is;  his  behavior 
is  anything  but  gentlemanly,"  remarked  her 
father,  opening  the  gate  for  her  to  pass  in.  "  But 
you  need  not  tremble  so,  child;  there  is  nothing 
to  fear." 


CHAPTEE  XIX. 

Oh,  what  a  feeble  fort's  a  woman's  heart, 
Betrayed  by  nature,  and  besieged  by  art. 

—FAKE'S  "LovE  IN  THE  DARK." 

"  DEAH  child,  what  shall  I  do  without  you?  " 
sighed  Miss  Stanhope,  clasping  Elsie  in  her  arms, 
and  holding  her  in  a  long,  tender  embrace;  for 
the  time  of  parting  had  come.  "  Horace,  will  you 
bring  her  to  see  me  again?  " 

"  Yes,  aunt,  if  she  wants  to  come.  But  don't 
ask  me  to  leave  her  again." 

"  Well,  if  you  can't  stay  with  me,  or  trust  her 
yourself,  let  Mr.  Vanilla  come  and  stand  guard 
over  us  both.  I'd  be  happy,  sir,  at  any  time  when 
you  can  make  it  convenient  for  me  to  see  you 
here,  with  Horace  and  the  child,  or  without 
them." 

"  Thank  you,  Miss  Stanhope;  and  mother  and 
I  would  be  delighted  to  see  you  at  Ion." 

"  Come,  Elsie,  we  must  go;  the  carriage  is  wait- 
ing and  the  train  nearly  due,"  said  Mr.  Dinsmore. 
"  Good-bye,  Aunt  Wealthy.  Daughter,  put  down 
your  veil." 

Egerton  was  at  the  depot,  but  could  get  neither 
a  word  with  Elsie,  nor  so  much  as  a  sight  of  her 
face.  Her  veil  was  not  once  lifted,  and  her  father 
never  left  her  side  for  a  moment.  Mr.  Travilla 
bought  the  tickets,  and  Simon  attended  to  the 

877 


278  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

checking  of  the  baggage.  Then  the  train  came 
thundering  up,  and  the  fair  girl  was  hurried  into 
it,  Mr.  Travilla,  on  one  side,  and  her  father  on 
the  other,  effectually  preventing  any  near  ap- 
proach to  her  person  on  the  part  of  the  baffled 
and  disappointed  fortune-hunter. 

He  walked  back  to  his  boarding-house,  cursing 
his  ill  luck  and  Messrs.  Dinsmore  and  Travilla, 
and  gave  notice  to  his  landlady  that  his  room 
would  become  vacant  the  next  morning. 

As  the  train  sped  onward,  again  Elsie  laid  her 
head  down  upon  her  father's  shoulder  and  wept 
silently  behind  her  veil.  Her  feelings  had  been 
wrought  up  to  a  high  pitch  of  excitement  in  the 
struggle  to  be  pefectly  submissive  and  obedient, 
and  now  the  overstrained  nerves  claimed  this  re- 
lief. And  love's  young  dream,  the  first,  and 
sweetest,  was  over  and  gone.  She  could  never 
hope  to  see  again  the  man  she  still  fondly  imag- 
ined to  be  good  and  noble,  and  with  a  heart  full 
of  deep,  passionate  love  for  her. 

Her  father  understood  and  sympathized  with 
it  all.  He  passed  his  arm  about  her  waist,  drew 
her  closer  to  him,  and  taking  her  hand  in  his, 
held  it  in  a  warm,  loving  clasp. 

How  it  soothed  and  comforted  her.  She  could 
never  be  very  wretched  while  thus  tenderly  loved 
and  cherished. 

And,  arrived  at  her  journey's  end,  there  were 
mamma  and  little  brother  to  rejoice  over  her  re- 
turn, as  at  the  recovery  of  a  long-lost,  precious 
treasure. 

"  You  shall  never  go  away  again,"  said  the  little 
fellow,  hugging  her  tight.  "  When  a  boy  has  onl^ 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  279 

one  sister,  he  can't  spare  her  to  other  folks,  can 
he,  papa?" 

"  No,  son,"  answered  Mr.  Dinsmore,  patting 
his  rosy  cheek,  and  softly  stroking  Elsie's  hair, 
"  and  it  is  just  the  same  with  a  man  who  has  but 
one  daughter." 

"  You  don't  look  bright  and  merry,  as  you  did 
when  you  went  away,"  said  the  child,  bending  a 
gaze  of  keen,  loving  scrutiny  upon  the  sweet  face, 
paler,  sadder,  and  more  heavy-eyed  than  he  had 
ever  seen  it  before. 

"  Sister  is  tired  with  her  journey,"  said  mamma 
tenderly;  "  we  won't  tease  her  to-night." 

"  Yes,"  said  her  father,  "  she  must  go  early 
to  bed,  and  have  a  long  night's  rest." 

"Yes,  papa,  and  then  she'll  be  all  right  to- 
morrow, won't  she?  But,  mamma,  I  wasn't  teas- 
ing her,  not  a  bit;  was  I,  Elsie?  And  if  anybody's 
been  making  her  sorry,  I'll  kill  him.  'Cause  she's 
my  sister,  and  I've  got  to  take  care  of  her." 

"  But  suppose  papa  was  the  one  who  had  made 
her  sorry;  what  then?"  asked  Mr.  Dinsmore. 

"  But  you  wouldn't,  papa,"  said  the  boy,  shak- 
ing his  head  with  an  incredulous  smile.  "  You 
love  her  too  much  a  great  deal;  you'd  never  make 
her  sorry  unless  she'd  be  naughty;  and  she's  never 
one  bit  naughty, — always  minds  you  and  mamma 
the  minute  you  speak." 

"That's  true,  my  son;  I  do  love  her  far  too 
well  ever  to  grieve  her  if  it  can  be  helped.  She 
shall  never  know  a  pang  a  father's  love  and  care 
can  save  her  from."  And  again  his  hand  rested 
caressingly  on  Elsie's  head. 
|  She  caught  it  in  both  of  hers,  and  laying  her 


280  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

cheek  lovingly  against  it,  looked  up  at  him  witii 
tears  trembling  in  her  eyes.  "  I  know  it,  papa," 
she  murmured.  "  I  know  you  love  your  foolish 
little  daughter  very  dearly;  almost  as  dearly  as 
she  loves  you." 

"  Almost,  darling?  If  there  were  any  gauge 
by  which  to  measure  love,  I  know  not  whose  would 
be  found  the  greatest." 

Mr.  Dinsmore  and  his  father-in-law  had  taken 
adjoining  cottages  for  the  summer,  and  though 
"the  season"  was  so  nearly  over  that  the  hotels 
and  boarding-houses  were  but  thinly  populated 
and  would  soon  close,  the  two  families  intended 
remaining  another  month.  So  this  was  in  some 
sort  a  home-coming  to  Elsie. 

After  tea  the  Allisons  flocked  in  to  bid  her 
welcome.  All  seemed  glad  of  her  coming,  Kieh- 
ard,  Harold,  and  Sophy  especially  so.  They  were 
full  of  plans  for  giving  her  pleasure,  and  crowd- 
ing the  greatest  possible  amount  of  enjoyment 
into  the  four  or  five  weeks  of  their  expected  so- 
journ on  the  island. 

"  It  will  be  moonlight  next  week,"  said  Sophy; 
"  and  we'll  have  some  delightful  drives  and  walks 
along  the  beach.  The  sea  does  look  so  lovely  by 
moonlight." 

"And  we'll  have  such  fun  bathing  in  the 
mornings,"  remarked  Harold.  "  You'll  go  in  with 
us  to-morrow,  won't  you,  Elsie?  " 

"No,"  said  Mr.  Dinsmore,  speaking  for  his 
daughter;  "  she  must  be  here  two  or  three  days 
before  she  goes  into  the  water.  It  will  be  alto- 
gether better  for  her  health." 

Elise  looked  at  him  inquiringly. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  281 

"You  get  in  the  air  enough  of  the  salt  water 
for  the  first  few  days/'  he  said.  "  Your  system 
should  become  used  to  that  before  you  take 
more." 

"  Yes,  that  is  what  some  of  the  doctors  here, 
and  the  oldest  inhabitants,  tell  us,"  remarked  Mr. 
Allison,  "  and  I  believe  it  is  the  better  plan." 

"  And  in  the  meantime  we  can  take  some  rides 
and  drives, — down  to  Diamond  Beach,  over  to  the 
light-house,  and  elsewhere,"  said  Edward  Alli- 
son, his  brother  Eichard  adding,  "  and  do  a  little 
fishing  and  boating." 

Mr.  Dinsmore  was  watching  his  daughter.  She 
was  making  an  effort  to  be  interested  in  the  con- 
versation, but  looking  worn,  weary,  and  sad. 

"  You  are  greatly  fatigued,  my  child,"  he  said. 
"  We  will  excuse  you  and  let  you  retire  at  once." 

She  was  very  glad  to  avail  herself  of  the  per- 
mission. 

Kose  followed  her  to  her  room,  a  pleasant, 
breezy  apartment,  opening  on  a  veranda,  and  look- 
ing out  upon  the  sea,  whose  dark  waves,  here  and 
there  tipped  with  foam,  could  be  dimly  seen  roll- 
ing and  tossing  beneath  the  light  of  the  stars 
and  of  a  young  moon  that  hung  like  a  golden 
crescent  just  above  the  horizon. 

Elsie  walked  to  the  window  and  looked  out. 
"How  I  love  the  sea,"  she  said,  sighing,  "but, 
mamma,  to-night  it  makes  me  think  of  a  text — 
'All  Thy  waves  and  Thy  billows  have  gone  over 
me.' " 

"  It  is  not  so  bad  as  that,  I  hope,  dear,"  said 
Rose,  folding  her  tenderly  in  her  arms;  "think 
how  we  all  love  you,  especially  your  father.  I 


282  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

don't  know  how  we  could  any  of  us  do  without 
you,  darling.  I  can't  tell  you  how  sadly  we  have 
missed  you  this  summer." 

"  Mamma.,  I  do  feel  it  to  be  very,  very  sweet 
to  be  so  loved  and  cared  for.  I  could  not  tell  you 
how  dear  you  and  my  little  brother  are  to  me, 
and  as  for  papa — sometimes  I  am  more  than  half 
afraid  I  make  an  idol  of  him;  and  yet — oh,  mam- 
ma," she  murmured,  hiding  her  face  in  Eose's 
bosom,  "  why  is  it  that  I  can  no  longer  be  in  love 
with  the  loves  that  so  fully  satisfied  me?" 

" '  Thy  desire  shall  be  to  thy  husband,  and  he 
shall  rule  over  thee/  It  is  part  of  woman's  curse 
that  she  must  ever  crave  that  sort  of  love,  often 
yielding  to  her  craving,  to  her  own  terrible  undo- 
ing. Be  patient,  darling,  and  try  to  trust  both 
your  heavenly  and  your  earthly  father.  You 
know  that  no  trial  can  come  to  you  without  your 
heavenly  Father's  will,  and  that  He  means  this 
for  your  good.  Look  to  Him  and  he  will  help  you 
to  bear  it,  and  send  relief  in  His  own  good  time 
and  way.  You  know  He  tells  us  it  is  through 
much  tribulation  we  enter  the  kingdom  of  God; 
and  that  whom  the  Lord  loveth  He  chasteneth, 
and  scourgeth  every  son  whom  he  receiveth.  '  If 
ye  be  without  chastisements,  whereof  all  are  par- 
takers, then  are  ye  bastards  and  no  sons!  " 

"Ah,  yes,  mamma;  better  the  hardest  of 
earthly  trials,  than  to  be  left  out  of  the  number 
of  his  adopted  children.  And  this  seems  to  be 
really  my  only  one,  while  my  cup  of  blessings  is 
full  to  overflowing.  I  fear  I  am  very  wicked  to 
feel  so  sad." 

"  Let  us  sit  down  on  this  couch  while  we  talk; 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  283 

you  are  too  tired  to  stand,"  said  Rose,  drawing 
her  away  from  the  window  to  a  softly-cushioned 
loungt.  "  I  do  not  think  you  can  help  grieving, 
darling,  though  I  agree  with  you  that  it  is  your 
duty  to  try  to  be  cheerful,  as  well  as  patient  and 
submissive;  and  I  trust  you  will  find  it  easier  as 
the  days  and  weeks  move  on.  You  are  very 
young,  and  have  plenty  of  time  to  wait;  indeed, 
if  all  had  gone  right,  you  know  your  papa  would 
not  have  allowed  you  to  marry  for  several  years 
yet." 

"You  know  all,  mamma?" 

"  Yes,  dear;  papa  told  me;  for  you  know  you 
are  my  darling  daughter  too,  and  I  have  a  very 
deep  interest  in  all  that  concerns  you." 

A  tender  caress  accompanied  the  words,  and 
was  returned  with  equal  ardor. 

"  Thank  you,  best  and  kindest  of  mothers;  I 
should  never  want  anything  kept  from  you." 

"  Your  father  tells  me  you  have  behaved  beau- 
tifully, though  you  evidently  felt  it  very  hard  to 
be  separated  so  entirely  and  at  once  fr " 

"  Yes,  mamma,"  and  Elsie's  lip  quivered,  and 
her  eyes  filled,  "  and  oh,  I  can't  believe  he  is  the 
wicked  man  papa  thinks  him.  From  the  first  he 
seemed  to  be  a  perfect  gentleman,  educated,  pol- 
ished, and  refined;  and  afterward  he  became — at 
least  so  I  thought  from  the  conversations  we  had 
together — truly  converted,  and  a  very  earnest, 
devoted  Christian.  He  told  me  he  had  been,  at 
one  time,  a  little  wild,  but  surely  he  ought  not 
to  be  condemned  for  that,  after  he  had  repented 
and  reformed." 

"  No,  dear;  and  your  father  would  agree  with1 


284  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

you  in  that.  But  he  believes  you  have  been  de- 
ceived in  the  man's  character;  and  don't  you 
think,  daughter,  that  he  is  wiser  than  yourself, 
and  more  capable  of  finding  out  the  truth  about 
the  matter?" 

"  I  know  papa  is  far  wiser  than  I,  but,  oh,  my 
heart  will  not  believe  what  they  say  of — of  him!  " 
she  cried  with  sudden,  almost  passionate  vehe- 
mence. 

"Well,  dear,  that  is  perfectly  natural,  but  try 
to  be  entirely  submissive  to  your  father,  and  wait 
patiently;  and  hopefully  too,"  she  added  with  a 
smile;  "  for  if  Mr.  Egerton  is  really  good,  no  doubt 
it  will  be  proved  in  time,  and  then  your  father 
will  at  once  remove  his  interdict.  And  if  you  are 
mistaken,  you  will  one  day  discover  it,  and  feel 
thankful,  indeed,  to  your  papa  for  taking  just 
the  course  he  has." 

"There  he  is  now!"  Elsie  said  with  a  start, 
as  Mr.  Dinsmore's  step  was  heard  without, 
and  Chloe  opened  the  door  in  answer  to  his 
rap. 

"What,  Elsie  disobeying  orders,  and  mamma 
conniving  at  it! "  he  exclaimed  in  a  tone  that 
might  mean  either  jest  or  serious  reproof.  "  Did 
I  not  bid  you  go  to  bed  at  once,  my  daughter?  " 

"I  thought  it  was  only  permission,  papa,  not 
command,"  she  answered,  lifting  her  eyes  to  his 
face,  and  moving  to  make  room  for  him  by  her 
side.  "And  mam^o-has  been  saying  such  sweet, 
comforting  things  to  me." 

"Has  she,  darling?  Bless  her  for  it!  I  know 
you  need  comfort,  my  poor  little  pet,"  he  said, 
taking  the  offered  seat,  and  passing  his  arm  round 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  285 

her  waist.  "But  you  need  rest  too,  and  ought 
not  to  stay  up  any  longer." 

"  But  surely  papa  knows  I  cannot  go  to  bed 
without  my  good-night  kiss  when  he  is  in  the 
same  house  with  me,"  she  said,  winding  her  arms 
about  his  neck. 

"  And  didn't  like  to  take  it  before  folks?  Well, 
that  was  right,  but  take  it  now.  There,  good- 
night. Now  mamma  and  I  will  run  away,  and 
you  must  get  into  bed  with  all  speed.  No  mis- 
take about  the  command  this  time,  and  disobedi- 
ence, if  ventured  on,  will  have  to  be  punished," 
he  said  with  playful  tenderness,  as  he  returned 
her  embrace,  and  rose  to  leave  the  room. 

"  The  dear  child;  my  heart  aches  for  her,"  he 
remarked  to  his  wife,  as  they  went  out  together, 
"  and  I  find  it  almost  impossible  yet  to  forgive 
either  that  scoundrel  Jackson  or  my  brother  Ar- 
thur." 

"  You  have  no  lingering  doubts  as  to  the  iden- 
tity and  utter  un worthiness  of  the  man?" 

"  Not  one;  and  if  I  could  only  convince  Elsie  of 
his  true  character  she  would  detest  him  as  thor- 
oughly as  I  do.  If  he  had  his  deserts,  he  would 
be  in  the  State's  Prison;  and  to  think  of  his  dar- 
ing to  approach  my  child,  and  even  aspire  to  her 
hand!  " 

Elsie  lay  all  night  in  a  profound  slumber,  and 
awoke  at  an  early  hour  the  next  morning,  feeling 
greatly  refreshed  and  invigorated.  The  gentle 
murmur  of  old  ocean  came  pleasantly  to  her  ear, 
and  sweetly  in  her  mind  arose  the  thought  of 
Him  whom  even  the  winds  and  the  sea  obey;  of 
His  never  failing  love  to  her,  and  of  the  many 


286  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

great  and  precious  promises  of  His  word.  She 
remembered  how  He  had  said,  "Your  Father 
knoweth  that  ye  have  need  of  all  these  things/' 
and,  content  to  bear  the  cross  He  had  sent  her, 
and  leave  her  future  in  His  hands,  she  rose  to 
begin  the  new  day  more  cheerful  and  hopeful  than 
she  had  been  since  learning  her  father's  decision 
in  regard  to  Egerton. 

Throwing  on  a  dressing-gown  over  her  night 
dress,  she  sat  down  before  the  open  window  with 
her  Bible  in  her  hand.  She  still  loved,  as  of  old, 
to  spend  the  first  hour  of  the  day  in  the  study  of 
its  pages,  and  in  communion  with  Him  whose 
word  it  is. 

Chloe  was  just  putting  the  finishing  touches 
to  her  young  lady's  toilet  when  little  Horace  came 
running  down  the  hall,  and  rapping  on  Elsie's 
door,  called  out,  "  Sister,  papa  says  put  on  a 
short  dress,  and  your  walking  shoes,  and  come 
take  a  stroll  on  the  beach  with  us  before  break- 
fast." 

"Yes,  tell  papa  I  will.  Ill  be  down  in  five 
minutes." 

She  came  down  looking  sweet  and  fresh  as  the 
morning;  a  smile  on  the  full  red  lips,  and  a  faint 
tinge  of  rose  color  on  the  cheeks  that  had  been  so 
pale  the  night  before. 

"  Ah,  you  are  something  like  yourself  again," 
said  Kose,  greeting  her  with  a  motherly  caress, 
as  they  met  in  the  lower  hall.  "  How  nice  it  is 
to  have  you  at  home  once  more." 

"  Thank  you,  mamma,  I  am  very  glad  to  be 
here;  and  I  had  such  a  good  restful  sleep.  How 
well  you  look." 


ELSIES  GIRLHOOD.  287 

"And  feel  too,  I  am  thankful  to  be  able  to 
say.  But  there,  your  father  is  calling  to  you  from 
the  sitting-room." 

Elsie  hastened  to  obey  the  summons,  and  found 
him  seated  at  his  writing  desk. 

"  Come  here,  daughter,"  he  said,  "  and  tell  me 
if  you  obeyed  orders  last  night." 

"  Yes,  papa,  I  did." 

"  I  am  writing  a  few  lines  to  Aunt  Wealthy,  to 
tell  her  of  our  safe  arrival.  Have  you  any  mes- 
sage to  send?"  and  laying  down  his  pen  he  drew 
her  to  his  knee. 

"  Only  my  love,  papa,  and — and  that  she  must 
not  be  anxious  about  me,  as  she  said  that  she 
should.  That  I  am  very  safe  and  happy  in  the 
hands  of  my  heavenly  Father — and  those  of  the 
kind  earthly  one  He  has  given  me,"  she  added 
in  a  whisper,  putting  her  arms  about  his  neck,  and 
looking  in  his  face  with  eyes  brimful  of  filial  ten- 
derness and  love. 

"That  is  right,  my  darling,"  he  said,  "and 
you  shall  never  want  for  love  while  your  father 
lives.  How  it  rejoices  my  heart  to  see  you  look- 
ing so  bright  and  well  this  morning." 

"  I  fear  I  have  not  been  yielding  you  the  cheer- 
ful obedience  I  ought,  papa,"  she  murmured  with  ; 
tears  in  her  eyes,  "  but  I  am  resolved  to  try  to  do  \ 
so  in  future;  and  have  been  asking  help  where  I 
know  it  is  to  be  obtained." 

"  I  have  no  fault  to  find  with  you  on  that  score, 
my  dear  child,"  he  said  tenderly,  "  but  if  you 
can  be  cheerful,  it  will  be  for  your  own  happiness, 
as  well  as  ours." 

She  kept  her  promise  faithfully,  and  had  her 


288  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

reward  in  much  real  enjoyment  of  the  many  pleas* 
ures  provided  for  her. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dinsmore  were  still  youthful  in' 
their  feelings,  and  joined  with  great  zest  in  the 
sports  of  the  young  people,  going  with  them  in 
all  their  excursions,  taking  an  active  part  in  all 
their  pastimes,  and  contriving  so  many  fresh 
entertainments,  that  during  those  few  weeks  life 
seemed  like  one  long  gala  day. 

Mr.  Travilla  was  with  them  most  of  the  time. 
He  had  tarried  behind  in  Philadelphia,  as  Mr. 
Dinsmore  and  his  daughter  passed  through,  but 
followed  them  to  Cape  Island  a  few  day,*  later. 

The  whole  party  left  the  shore  about  the  last  of 
September,  the  Allisons  returning  to  their  city 
residence,  Mr.  Travilla  to  his  Southern  home, 
and  the  Dinsmores  travelling  through  Pennsyl- 
vania and  New  York,  from  one  romantic  and  pic- 
turesque spot  to  another;  finishing  up  with  two 
or  three  weeks  in  Philadelphia,  during  which  Rose 
and  Elsie  were  much  occupied  with  their  fall  and 
winter  shopping. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  took  this  opportunity  to  pay 
another  flying  visit  to  his  two  young  brothers. 
He  found  Arthur  nearly  recovered,  and  at  once 
asked  a  full  explanation  of  the  affair  of  Tom 
Jackson,  alias  Bromly  Egerton;  his  designs  upon 
Elsie,  and  Arthur's  participation  in  them. 

"I  know  nothing  about  it,"  was  the  sullen  re- 
joinder. 

"You  certainly  were  acquainted  with  Tom 
Jackson,  and  how,  but  through  you,  could  he 
have  gained  any  knowledge  of  Elsie  and  her 
whereabouts?" 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  I  don't  deny  that  I've  had  some  dealings  with 
Jackson,  but  your  Egerton  I  know  nothing  of 
whatever." 

"You  may  as  well  speak  the  truth,  sir;  it  will 
be  much  better  for  you  in  the  end,"  said  Mr.  Dins- 
more,  sternly,  his  eyes  flashing  with  indignant 
anger. 

"  And  you  may  as  well  remember  that  it  isn't 
Elsie  you  are  dealing  with.  I'm  not  afraid  of 
you." 

"  Perhaps  not,  but  you  may  well  fear  Him 
who  has  said,  '  a  lying  tongue  is  but  for  a  mo- 
ment.' How  do  you  reconcile  such  an  assertion 
as  you  have  just  made  with  the  fact  of  your  hav- 
ing that  letter  in  your  possession?  " 

"  I  say  it's  a  cowardly  piece  of  business  for  you 
to  give  the  lie  to  a  fellow  that  hasn't  the  strength' 
to  knock  you  down  for  it." 

"  You  would  hardly  attempt  that  if  you  were 
in  perfect  health,  Arthur." 

"I  would." 

"You  have  not  answered  my  question  about 
the  letter. 

"  I  wrote  it  myself." 

"A  likely  story;  it  is  in  a  very  different  hand 
from  yours." 

"  I  can  adopt  that  hand  on  occasion,  as  I'll 
prove  to  your  satisfaction. 

He  opened  his  desk,  wrote  a  sentence  on  a  scr^p 
of  paper,  and  handed  it  to  Mr.  Dinsmore.  The 
chirography  was  precisely  that  of  the  letter. 
While  slowly  convalescing,  Arthur  had  prepared 
for  this  expected  interview  with  Horace,  by  spend- 
ing many  a  solitary  hour  in  laboriously  teaching 


290  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

himself  to  imitate  Jackson's  ordinary  hand,  in 
which  most  of  the  letters  he  had  received  from 
him  were  written.  The  sentence  he  had  first 
penned  was,  "  I  did  it  merely  for  my  own  amuse- 
ment, and  to  hoax  Wai." 

"  I  don't  believe  a  word  of  it,"  said  Mr.  Dins- 
more,  looking  sternly  at  him.  "  Arthur,  you  had 
better  be  frank  and  open  with  me.  You  will  gain 
nothing  by  denying  the  hand  you  have  had  in 
this  disgraceful  business.  You  can  hardly  sup- 
pose me  credulous  enough  to  believe  an  asser- 
tion so  perfectty  absurd  as  this.  I  have  no  doubt 
that  you  sent  that  villain  to  Lansdale  to  try  his 
arts  upon  Elsie;  and  for  that' you  are  richly  de- 
serving of  my  anger,  and  of  any  punishment  it 
might  be  in  my  power  to  deal  out  to  you. 

"  It  has  been  no  easy  matter  for  me  to  forgive 
the  suffering  you  have  caused  my  child,  Arthur; 
but  I  came  here  to-day  with  kind  feelings  and  in- 
tentions. I  hoped  to  find  you  penitent  and  ready 
to  forsake  your  evil  courses;  and  in  that  case,  in- 
tended to  help  you  to  pay  off  your  debts  and  begin 
anew,  without  paining  father  with  the  knowledge 
that  his  confidence  in  you  has  been  again  so 
shamefully  abused.  But  I  must  say  that  your 
persistent  denial  of  your  complicity  with  that 
scoundrel  Jackson  uoes  not  look  much  like  contri- 
tion, or  intended  amendment." 

Arthur  listened  in  sullen  silence,  though  his 
rapidly  changing  color  showed  that  he  felt  the 
cutting  rebuke  keenly.  At  one  time  he  had  re- 
solved to  confess  everything,  throw  himself  upon 
the  mercy  of  his  father  and  brother,  and  begin 
to  lead  an  honest,  upright  life;  but  a  threaten- 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  291 

ing  letter  received  that  morning  from  Jackson 
had  led  him  to  change  his  purpose,  and  determine 
to  close  his  lips  for  a  time. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  paused  for  a  reply,  but  none 
came. 

Walter  looked  at  Arthur  in  surprise.  "  Come, 
Art,  speak,  why  don't  you?"  he  said.  "Horace, 
don't  Jook  so  stern  and  angry,  I  know  he  means 
to  turn  over  a  new  leaf;  for  he  told  me  so.  And 
you  will  help  him,  won't  you?  " 

"  I  ask  no  favors  from  a  man  who  throws  the 
lie  in  my  teeth,"  muttered  Arthur  angrily. 

"  And  I  can  give  none  to  one  who  persists  in 
denying  his  guilt,"  replied  Mr.  Dinsmore.  "  But, 
Arthur,  I  give  you  one  more  chance,  and  for  our 
father's  sake  I  hope  you  will  avail  yourself  of  it. 
If  you  go  on  as  you  have  for  the  last  three  or  four 
years,  you  will  bring  down  his  gray  hairs  with 
sorrow  to  the  grave.  I  presume  you  have  put 
yourself  in  Jackson's  power;  but  if  you  will  now 
make  a  full  and  free  confession  to  me,  and  prom- 
ise amendment,  I  will  help  you  to  get  rid  of  the 
rascal's  claims  upon  you,  and  start  afresh.  Will 
you  do  it?" 

"  No,  you've  called  me  a  liar,  and  what's  the 
use  of  my  telling  you  anything?  you  wouldn't  be- 
lieve it  if  I  did." 


CHAPTEE  XX. 

She  is  not  sad,  yet  in  her  gaze  appears 
Something  that  makes  the  gazer  think  of  tears. 

—MRS.  EMBURY. 

THE  family  at  Eoselands  were  gathered  about 
the  breakfast-table.  A  much  smaller  party  than 
of  yore,  since  Horace  had  taken  Elsie  and  set  up 
an  establishment  of  his  own,  and  the  other  sons 
were  away  at  college  and  two  daughters  married; 
leaving  only  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dinsmore,  Adelaide 
and  Enna  to  occupy  the  old  home. 

"  I  presume  you  have  the  lion's  share  as  usual, 
papa,"  observed  the  last  named,  as  her  father 
opened  the  letter-bag  which  Pomp  had  just 
brought  in. 

"  And  who  has  a  better  right,  Miss  Malapert  ?  " 
retorted  the  old  gentleman.  "  Yes,  here  are  sev- 
er&l  letters  for  me;  but  as  there  is  one  apiece  for 
the  rest  of  you,  nobody  need  complain.  Here, 
Pomp,  hand  this  to  your  mistress.  From  Walter, 
I  see." 

"  Yes,"  she  answered,  opening  it,  "  and  a  few 
lines  from  Arthur  too.  I'm  glad  he's  able  to 
write  again,  poor  fellow!  " 

"Yes,"  said  Adelaide.  "Kose  says  Horace 
has  been  up  there  and  found  him  nearly  recov- 
ered. She  writes  that  they  are  coming  home." 

"When?  "asked  Enna. 

"Why,  to-day!  the  letter  has  been  delayed," 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  293 

said  her  sister,  looking  at  the  date.  "  I  shall  ride 
over  directly,  to  see  that  all  is  in  order  for  them 
at  the  Oaks." 

"  There  is  no  need,"  remarked  her  mother. 
"  Eose  will  have  written  to  Mrs.  Murray." 

"  I  presume  so,  still  I  shall  go;  it  will  be  pleas- 
ant to  be  there  to  welcome  them  when  they 
arrive." 

"  How  fond  you  are  of  Rose,"  said  Mrs.  Dins- 
more  in  a  piqued  tone;  "  you  wouldn't  do  more 
for  one  of  your  own  sisters,  I  believe,  than  for 
her." 

"  I  wouldn't  do  less,  mamma,  and  I  am  very 
fond  of  her;  we  are  so  perfectly  congenial." 

"  And  Elsie's  a  great  pet  of  yours,  too,"  said 
Enna  sneeringly.  "  Well,  I  shall  put  off  my  call 
till  to-morrow,  when  the  trunks  will  have  been 
unpacked,  and  I  shall  have  a  chance  to  see  the 
fashions.  Elsie  will  have  loads  of  new  things; 
it's  perfectly  absurd  the  way  Horace  heaps 
presents  upon  her,  and  pocket-money  too.  Such 
loads  of  jewelry  as  she  has, — two  or  three  gold 
watches,  and  everything  else  in  proportion." 

"  He  may  as  well;  she  can  never  spend  the  half 
of  her  income,"  remarked  Mr.  Dinsmore.  "  Un- 
less she  takes  to  gambling,"  he  added,  in  a  tone 
that  seemed  to  say  that  his  purse  had  suffered 
severely  from  some  one's  indulgence  in  that  vice. 

Mrs.  Dinsmore  winced,  Enna  looked  vexed  and 
annoyed,  and  Adelaide  sad  and  troubled;  but 
when  she  spoke  it  was  in  answer  to  Enna. 

"  Yes,  Elsie  will  have  a  great  many  beautiful 
things  to  show  us,  of  course;  but,  though  she 
wears  nothing  outre,  she  has  never  been,  and  I 


294  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

think  never  will  be  a  mirror  of  fashion.  It  would 
suit  neither  her  own  taste  nor  Horace's;  and  you 
know,  fond  of  her  as  he  is,  he  will  never  allow  her 
to  have  a  will  of  her  own  in  dress  or  anything 
else.  So  it  is  well  their  tastes  harmonize." 

"I  wouldn't  be  his  child  for  all  her  money," 
said  Enna. 

"  There  would  be  some  fighting  if  you  were," 
said  her  father,  laughing. 

"  I  never  could  tell  whether  he  tyrannized  orer 
Rose  in  the  same  style  or  not,"  observed  MBS. 
Dinsmore  interrogatively. 

"All  I  know  about  it  is  that  they  seem  per- 
fectly happy  in  each  other,"  answered  Adelaide; 
"but  I  don't  suppose  Horace  considers  a  hus- 
band's authority  by  any  means  equal  to  a 
father's." 

Something  delayed  Adelaide,  and  it  was  nearly 
two  hours  after  they  rose  from  the  table  ere  she 
was  fairly  on  her  way  to  the  Oaks. 

"  Why,  they  are  here  before  me!  "  she  exclaimed 
half  aloud  as  she  came  in  sight  of  the  house. 

There  were  piles  of  luggage  upon  the  veranda, 
and  the  whole  family,  including  all  the  house 
servants,  were  gathered  round  a  large  open  trunk 
from  which  Mrs.  Dinsmore  and  Elsie  were  deal- 
ing out  gifts — dresses,  aprons,  bonnets,  hats,  gay 
handkerchiefs,  etc.,  etc.;  the  darkies  receiving 
them  with  a  delight  that  was  pleasant  to  see. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  too  was  taking  his  part  in  the 
distribution,  and  as  Adelaide  rode  up  little  Hor- 
ace was  in  the  act  of  throwing  a  gay  shawl  about 
the  shoulders  of  his  nurse,  who  caught  him  in  her 
arms  and  hugged  and  kissed  him  over  and  over, 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  295 

calling  him  "honey,"  and  "pet,"  and  "you  ole 
mammy's  darlin'  ole  chiF  !  " 

So  much  engaged  were  they  all  that  no  one  per- 
ceived Adelaide's  approach  till  she  had  reined  in 
her  horse  close  to  the  veranda,  and  throwing  her 
bridle  to  her  attendant,  sprung  lightly  to  the 
ground. 

But  then  there  was  a  shout  of  welcome  from 
little  Horace,  followed  instantly  hy  joyous  excla- 
mations and  embraces  from  the  others. 

"  Dear  me,  what  a  long  stay  you  made  of  it! " 
said  Adelaide.  "  You  can  have  no  idea  how  I 
missed  you  all;  even  down  to  this  little  man/' 
patting  Horace's  rosy  cheek.  "You  look  re- 
markably well,  Eose;  and  the  two  Horaces  also; 
but  Elsie,  I  think,  has  grown  a  little  pale,  thin, 
and  heavy-eyed.  What  ails  you,  child?  Pining 
for  your  native  air — no,  home  air — I  presume. 
Is  that  it?" 

"  Hardly  pining  for  it,  auntie,  but  very  glad  to 
get  back,  nevertheless,"  Elsie  answered,  with  a 
blush  and  a  smile. 

"And  you  are  not  pale  now.  But  don't  let 
me  interrupt  your  pleasant  employment.  I  wish 
I  had  been  in  time  to  see  the  whole  of  it." 

"  You  are  in  season  for  your  own  gifts.  Will 
you  accept  a  trifle  from  me?"  said  her  brother, 
putting  a  jewel-case  into  her  hand. 

"Coral!  and  what  a  beautiful  shade!"  she 
cried.  "Thank  you;  they  are  just  what  I 
wanted." 

"I  thought  they  would  contrast  prettily  with 
this,  auntie,"  said  Elsie,  laying  a  dress-pattern  of 
heavy  black  silk  upon  her  lap. 


29G  ELSIE'S  GlttLHOOD. 

"And  these  are  to  be  worn  at  the  same  time, 
if  it  so  pleases  you/'  added  Rose,  presenting  her 
with  collar  and  undersleeves  of  point  lace. 

"  Oh,  Rose,  how  lovely!  and  even  little  Horace 
bringing  auntie  a  gift! "  as  the  child  slipped 
something  into  her  hand. 

"  It's  only  a  card-case;  but  mamma  said  you'd 
like  it,  Aunt  Adie." 

"  And  I  do;  it's  very  pretty.  And  here's  a  hug 
and  a  kiss  for  the  pet  boy  that  remembered  his 
old-maid  auntie." 

"  Old  maid,  indeed!  Adelaide,  I'll  not  have  you 
talking  so,"  said  Rose.  "  There's  nothing  old- 
maidish  about  you;  not  even  age  yet;  a  girl  of 
twenty-six  to  be  calling  herself  that!  it's  perfectly 
absurd.  Isn't  it,  my  dear?  " 

"  I  think  so,  indeed,"  replied  Mr.  Dinsmore. 
"  Here,  Jim,  Cato,  and  the  rest  of  you  carry  in 
these  trunks  and  boxes,  and  let  us  have  them  un- 
packed and  put  out  of  sight." 

"Oh,  yes!"  said  Adelaide,  "I  want  to  see  all 
the  fine  things  you  have  brought,  Rose.  Mamma, 
Enna,  and  I  are  depending  upon  you  and  Elsie  for 
the  fashions." 

"  Yes,  we  had  all  our  fall  and  winter  dresses 
made  up  in  Philadelphia;  we  prefer  their  styles  to 
the  New  York;  they  don't  go  to  such  extremes, 
you  know;  and  besides — hailing  from  the  Quaker 
city  as  I  do,  it's  natural  I  should  be  partial  to  her 
plainer  ways — but  we  brought  quantities  of  pat- 
terns from  both  places;  knowing  that  nothing  was 
likely  to  be  too  gay  for  Enna.  We  will  let  Elsie 
display  hers  first.  I  feel  in  a  special  hurry,  dear, 
to  show  your  aunt  those  elegant  silks  your  papa 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  297 

and  I  helped  you  to  select.  I  hope  you  will  see 
them  all  on  her,  one  of  these  days,  Adelaide. 

"That  child's  complexion  is  so  perfect,  that 
she  can  wear  anything,"  she  added  in  an  aside, 
as  they  followed  Elsie  to  her  apartments;  "  there's 
a  pale  blue  that  she  looks  perfectly  lovely  in;  a 
pearl-color  too,  and  a  delicate  pink,  and  I  don't 
know  how  many  more.  One  might  think  we  ex- 
pected her  to  do  nothing  but  attend  parties  the 
coming  season." 

Elsie  seemed  to  take  a  lively  interest  in  dis- 
playing her  pretty  things  to  her  aunt,  and  in  look- 
ing on  for  a  little,  while  Eose  did  the  same  with 
hers;  but  at  length,  though  the  two  older  ladies 
were  still  turning  over  and  discussing  silks,  satins, 
velvets,  laces,  ribbons,  feathers,  and  flowers,  her 
father  noticed  her  sitting  in  the  corner  of  a  sofa, 
in  an  attitude  of  weariness  and  dejection,  with  a 
pale  cheek,  and  a  dreary,  far-off  look  in  her  eyes 
that  it  pained  him  to  see. 

"  You  are  very  tired,  daughter,"  he  said,  going 
to  her  side,  and  smoothing  her  glossy  brown  hair 
with  tender  caressing  motion,  as  he  spoke;  "go 
and  lie  down  for  an  hour  or  two.  A  nap  would 
do  you  a  great  deal  of  good." 

"  I  don't  like  to  do  so  while  Aunt  Adie  is  here, 
papa,"  she  said,  looking  up  at  him  with  a  smile, 
and  trying  to  seem  fresh  and  bright. 

"Never  mind  that;  you  can  see  her  any  day 
now.  Come,  you  must  take  a  rest."  And  draw- 
ing her  hand  within  his  arm,  he  led  her  to  her 
boudoir  and  left  her  there,  comfortably  estab- 
lished upon  a  sofa. 

"A  hat  trimmed  in  that  style  would  be  very 


298  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

becoming  to  Elsie,"  remarked  Adelaide,  continu- 
ing the  conversation  with  Rose,  and  turning  to 
look  at  her  niece  as  she  spoke.  "  Why,  she's  not 
here." 

"  Papa  took  her  away  to  make  her  lie  down/' 
said  little  Horace. 

"  Rose,  does  anything  ail  the  child? "  asked 
Adelaide,  in  an  undertone. 

"  She  does  not  seem  to  be  out  of  health;  but 
you  know  we  are  very  careful  of  her;  she  is  so 
dear  and  sweet,  and  has  never  looked  very 
strong." 

"  But  there  is  something  wrong  with  her,  is 
there  not?  she  does  not  seem  to  me  quite  the  gay, 
careless  child  she  was  when  you  went  away.  Hor- 
ace," and  she  turned  to  him,  as  he  re-entered  the 
room,  "may  I  not  know  about  Elsie?  You  can 
hardly  love  her  very  much  better  than  I  do,  I 
think" 

"  If  that  is  so,  you  must  love  her  very  much 
indeed,"  he  answered  with  a  faint  smile.  "  Yes, 
I  will  tell  you."  And  he  explained  the  matter; 
briefly  at  first,  then  more  in  detail,  as  she  drew 
him  on  by  questions  and  remarks. 

Her  sympathy  for  Elsie  was  deep  and  sincere; 
yet  she  thought  her  brother's  course  the  only 
wise  and  kind  one,  and  her  indignation  waxed  hot 
against  Arthur  and  Egerton. 

"And  Elsie  still  believes  in  the  scoundrel?" 
she  said  inquiringly. 

"  Yes,  her  loving,  trustful  nature  refuses  to 
credit  the  proofs  of  his  guilt,  and  only  her  sweet, 
conscientious  submission  to  parental  authority 
has  saved  her  from  becoming  his  victim." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD,  299 

"  She  is  a  7ery  good,  submissive,  obedient  child 
to  you,  Horace/' 

"I  could  not  ask  a  better,  Adelaide.  I  only 
wish  it  were  in  my  power  to  make  obedience  al- 
ways easy  and  pleasant  to  her,  poor  darling." 

"  I  hope  you  have  something  for  me  there,  my 
dear,"  Eose  remarked  to  her  husband  at  the  break- 
fast-table the  next  morning,  as  he  looked  over 
the  mail  just  brought  in  by  his  man  John. 

"  Yes,  there  is  one  for  you;  from  your  mother, 
I  think;  and,  Elsie,  do  you  know  the  handwriting 
of  this?" 

"  No,  papa,  it  is  quite  strange  to  me,"  she  an- 
swered, taking  the  letter  he  held  out  to  her,  and 
which  bore  her  name  and  address  on  the  back, 
and  examining  it  critically. 

"  And  the  post-mark  tells  you  nothing  either?  " 

"  No,  sir;  I  cannot  quite  make  it  out,  but  it 
doesn't  seem  to  be  any  place  where  I  have  a  cor-v 
respondent." 

"  Well,  open  it  and  see  from  whom  it  comes. 
But  finish  your  breakfast  first." 

Elsie  laid  the  letter  down  by  her  plate,  and  put- 
ting aside,  for  the  present,  her  curiosity  in  re- 
gard to  it,  went  on  with  her  meal.  "  From  whom 
can  it  have  come?  "  she  asked  herself,  while  list- 
ening half  absently  to  extracts  from  Mr.  Allisons 
epistle;  "  not  from  him  surely,  the  hand  is  so  very 
unlike  that  of  the  one.he  sent  me  in  Lansdale." 

"  You  have  not  looked  at  that  yet,"  her  father 
said,  seeing  her  take  it  up  as  they  rose  from  the 
table.  "  You  may  do  so  now.  I  wish  to  know 
who  the  writer  is.  Don't  read  it  till  you  have 
found  that  out,"  he  added,  leading  her  to  a  sofa! 


800  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

in  the  next  room,  and  making  her  sit  down  there^ 
while  he  stood  by  her  side. 

She  felt  that  his  eye  was  upon  her  as  she  broke 
open  the  envelope  and,  taking  the  letter  from  it, 
glanced  down  the  page,  then  in  a  little  flutter  of 
surprise  and  perplexity  turned  to  the  signature. 
Instantly  her  face  flushed  crimson,  she  trembled 
visibly,  and  her  eyes  were  lifted  pleadingly 
to  his. 

He  frowned  and  held  out  his  hand. 

"  Oh,  papa,  let  me  read  it! "  she  murmured 
low  and  tremulously,  her  eyes  still  pleading  more 
eloquently  than  her  tongue. 

"  No/'  he  said,  and  his  look  and  gesture  were 
imperative. 

She  silently  put  the  letter  into  his  hand,  and 
turned  away  with  a  low  sob. 

"  It  is  not  worth  one  tear,  or  even  an  emotion 
of  regret,  my  child,"  he  said,  sitting  down  beside 
her.  "  I  shall  send  it  back  at  once;  unread,  un- 
less you  prefer  to  have  me  read  it  first." 

"  No,  papa." 

"  Very  well,  then  I  shall  not.  But,  Elsie,  do 
you  not  see  now  that  he  is  quite  capable  of  imi- 
tating the  handwriting  of  another?" 

"Yes,  papa;  but  that  does  not  prove  that  he 
did  in  the  case  you  refer  to." 

"  And  he  has  acted  quite  fairly  and  honestly 
in  using  that  talent  to  elude  my  vigilance  and 
tempt  you  to  deception  and  disobedience,  eh?" 

"He  is  not  perfect,  papa,  but  I  can't  believe 
him  as  bad  as  you  think." 

"  There  are  none  so  blind  as  those  that  won?t 
see,  Elsie;  but,  remember  " — and  his  tone  changed 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  301 

from  one  of  great  vexation  to  another  sternly 
authoritative — "  I  will  be  obeyed  in  this  thing." 

"  Yes,  papa,"  she  said,  and  rising,  hastily  left 
the  room. 

"  Try  to  be  very  patient  with  her,  dear,"  said 
Rose,  who  had  been  a  silent,  but  deeply  interested 
spectator  of  the  little  scene;  "  she  suffers  enough, 
poor  child! " 

"  Yes,  I  know  it,  and  my  heart  bleeds  for  her; 
yet  she  seems  so  wilfully  blind  to  the  strongest 
proofs  of  the  fellow's  abominable  rascality  that 
at  times  I  feel  as  if  I  could  hardly  put  up  with  it 
at  all.  The  very  pain  of  seeing  her  suffer  so 
makes  me  out  of  all  patience  with  her  folly." 

"Yes,  I  understand  it,  but  do  not  be  stern 
with  her;  she  surely  does  not  deserve  it  while  she 
is  so  perfectly  submissive  to  your  will." 

"  No,  she  does  not,  poor  darling,"  he  said  with' 
a  sigh.  "  But  I  must  make  haste  to  write  some 
letters  that  ought  to  go  by  the  next  mail." 

He  left  the  room,  and  Mrs.  Dinsmore,  longing 
to  comfort  Elsie  in  her  trouble,  was  about  to  go 
in  search  of  her,  when  Mrs.  Murray,  who  was  still 
housekeeper  at  the  Oaks,  came  to  ask  advice  or 
direction  about  some  household  matters. 

Their  consultation  lasted  for  half  an  hour  or 
more,  and  in  the  meanwhile  Mr.  Dinsmore  fin- 
ished his  correspondence  and  went  himself  to  loek 
for  his  daughter.  She  was  in  the  act  of  opening 
her  writing-desk  as  he  entered  the  room. 

"  What  are  you  doing,  daughter?  "  he  asked. 

"  I  was  about  to  write  a  letter  to  Sophy,  papa." 

"  It  would  be  too  late  for  to-day's  mail;  so  let 
it  wait,  and  come  with  me  for  a  little  stroll  into 


302  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

the  grounds.  Aunt  Chloe,  bring  a  garden  Hat 
and  sunshade.  You  would  like  to  go,  daughter?  " 

"Yes,  sir.  Papa,  you  are  not  vexed  with  me? 
You  don't  think  I  want  to  be  disobedient  or  wil*- 
ful?  "  There  were  tears  in  her  voice  and  traces 
of  them  on  her  cheeks. 

"  No,  darling! "  he  said,  drawing  her  to  him, 
"  and  you  did  not  in  the  least  deserve  to  be  spoken 
to  in  the  stern  tone  that  I  used.  But — can  you 
understand  it? — my  very  love  for  you  makes  me 
angry  and  impatient  at  your  persistent  love  for 
that  scoundrel." 

"  Papa,  please  don't!  "  she  said  in  a  low,  pained 
tone,  and  turning  away  her  face. 

"  Ah,  you  do  not  like  to  hear  a  word  against 
him! "  he  sighed;  "  I  can't  bear  to  think  it,  and 
yet  I  fear  you  care  more  for  him  than  for  me,  your 
own  father,  who  almost  idolizes  you.  Is  it  so  ?  " 

"  Papa/'  she  murmured,  winding  her  arms 
about  his  neck,  and  laying  her  head  on  his  breast, 
"  if  I  may  have  but  one  of  you,  I  could  never  hesi- 
tate for  a  moment  to  choose  to  cling  here  where 
I  have  been  so  long  and  tenderly  cherished.  I 
know  what  your  love  is, — I  might  be  mistaken 
and  deceived  in  another.  And  besides,  God  com- 
mands me  to  honor  and  obey  you/' 

He  held  her  close  to  his  heart  for  a  moment,  as 
something  too  dear  and  precious  ever  to  be  given 
up  to  another,  then  drawing  her  hand  within  his 
arm,  while  Chloe  placed  the  hat  on  her  head,  and 
gave  her  the  parasol,  he  led  her  out  into  the 
grounds. 

It  pained  him  to  notice  the  sadness  of  her 
countenance,  sadder  than  he  had  seen  it  for 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  303 

days,  and  he  exerted  himself  to  entertain  her  and 
divert  her  thoughts,  calling  her  attention  to  some 
new  plants  and  flowers,  consulting  her  taste  in 
regard  to  improvements  he  designed  making,  and 
conversing  with  her  about  a  book  they  had  been 
reading. 

She  understood  his  thoughtful  kindness,  was 
grateful  for  it,  and  did  her  best  to  be  interested 
and  cheerful. 

"It  is  so  nice  to  have  you  treat  me  as  your, 
companion,  and  friend  as  well  as  your  daughter, 
papa/'  she  said,  looking  up  at  him  with  a  smile. 

"  Your  companionship  is  very  dear  and  sweet 
to  me,  daughter,"  he  answered.  "  But  I  think 
we  had  better  go  in  now;  the  sun  is  growing 
hot." 

"  Oh,  here  you  are  !"  cried  a  girlish  voice  as 
they  turned  into  a  shaded  walk  leading  to  the 
house.  "  Fve  been  looking  everywhere  and  am 
glad  to  have  found  you  at  last.  Really,  if  a  body 
didn't  know  your  relationship,  he  or  she  might 
almost  imagine  you  a  pair  of  lovers." 

"  Don't  be  silly,  Enna.  How  do  you  do?  "  said 
Mr.  Dinsmore,  shaking  hands  with  her  and  giv- 
ing her  a  brotherly  kiss. 

"  As  usual,  thank  you,"  she  answered,  turning 
from  him  to  Elsie,  whom  she  embraced  with  toler- 
able warmth,  saying,  "  I'm  really  glad  to  have 
you  here  again.  I  missed  you  more  than  I  would 
have  believed.  Now  come  in  and  show  me  all 
your  pretty  things.  I'm  dying  to  see  them. 
Adelaide  says  you've  brought  home  such  quanti- 
ties of  lovely  laces,  silks,  velvets,  ribbons,  flowers, 
feathers  and  what  not,  that  one  might  imagine 


804  ELSIE'S    GIRLHOOD. 

you'd  nearly  bought  out  the  Philadelphia  mer- 
chants." 

"  No,  they  had  quite  a  stock  still  left,"  replied 
Elsie,  smiling;  "  but,  as  mamma  says,  papa  was 
very  indulgent  and  liberal  to  us  both;  and  I  shall 
take  pleasure  in  showing  you  his  gifts." 

"How  do  you  like  my  present  to  Adelaide? 
asked  Mr.  Dinsmore. 

"  Oh,  very  much;  but  when  my  turn  comes 
please  remember  I  want  amethysts." 

"  Ah,  then  I  have  been  fortunate  in  my  selec- 
tion," he  said,  quite  unsuspicious  of  the  fact  that 
Enna  had  instructed  Elsie  beforehand  in  regard 
to  her  wishes,  should  Horace  intend  making  her 
a  present.  Elsie  had  quietly  given  the  desired 
hint,  but  merely  as  though  the  idea  had  originated 
with  herself.  * 

The  jewelry  was  highly  approved,  as  also  a  rich 
violet  silk  from  Eose,  and  a  lace  set  from  Elsie. 

Adelaide  had  been  intrusted  with  quite  as  rich 
gifts  for  her  father  and  mother;  nor  had  Lora 
been  forgotten;  Elsie  had  a  handsome  shawl  for 
her,  Mr.  Dinsmore  a  beautiful  pair  of  bracelets, 
and  Eose  a  costly  volume  of  engravings. 

"Do  you  think  Aunt  Lora  will  be  pleased?" 
asked  Elsie. 

"  They're  splendid!  It  must  be  mighty  nice  to 
have  so  much  money  to  spend.  But  come  now, 
show  me  what  you  got  for  yourselves." 

She  spent  a  long  while,  first  in  Eose's  apart- 
ment, then  in  Elsie's,  turning  over  and  admiring 
the  pretty  things,  discussing  patterns,  and  styles 
of  trimming,  and  what  colors  and  modes  would 
be  becoming  to  her,  trying  on  some  of  the  dresses, 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  305 

laces,  sacques,  shawls,  bonnets,  and  hats — without 
so  much  as  saying  by  your  leave,  when  the  article 
in  question  belonged  to  her  niece — that  she  might 
judge  of  the  effect;  several  times  repeating  her 
remark  that  it  must  be  delightful  to  have  so  much 
money,  and  that  Elsie  was  exceedingly  fortunate 
in  being  so  enormously  wealthy. 

"  Yes;  it  is  something  to  be  thankful  for," 
Elsie  said  at  length,  "  but,  Enna,  it  is  also  a  great 
responsibility.  We  are  only  stewards,  you  know, 
and  sometimes  I  fear  it  is  hardly  right  for  me  to 
spend  so  much  in  personal  adornment." 

"That  wouldn't  trouble  me  in  the  least;  but 
why  do  you  do  it,  if  you  are  afraid  it's  wrong?  " 

"  Papa  does  not  think  so;  he  says  the  manu- 
facturers of  these  rich  goods  must  live  as  well  as 
others,  and  that  for  one  with  my  income,  it  is  no 
more  extravagant  to  wear  them  than  for  one  with 
half  the  means  to  wear  goods  only  half  as  ex- 
pensive." 

"  And  I'm  sure  he's  perfectly  right;  and  of 
course  you  have  no  choice  but  to  obey.  Well,  I 
presume  I've  seen  everything  now,  and  I'm  actu- 
ally weary  with  my  labors,"  she  added,  throwing 
herself  into  an  easy-chair.  "  You've  grown  a 
little  pale,  I  think,  and  your  eyes  look  as  if  you'd 
been  crying.  What  ails  you?  " 

"  I  am  not  at  all  ill,"  returned  Elsie,  flushing. 

"  I  didn't  say  you  were,  but  something's  wrong 
with  you,  and  you  can't  deny  it;  you  don't  seem  as 
gay  as  you  used  to  before  you  went  away." 

She  paused,  but  receiving  no  reply,  went  on. 
"  Come  now,  it  isn't  worth  while  to  be  so  close- 
mouthed  with  me,  Miss  Dinsmore;  for  I  happen 


306  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

to  know  pretty  much  all  about  it  already.  You've 
fallen  in  love  with  a  man  that  your  father  thinks 
is  a  scamp  and  though  you  don't  believe  it,  you've 
given  him  up,  in  obedience  to  orders,  like  the 
cowardly  piece  that  you  are.  Dear  me,  before  I'd 
be  so  afraid  of  my  father! " 

"  No,  you  neither  fear  nor  love  your  father  as 
I  do  mine;  but  fear  of  papa  has  very  little  to  do 
with  it.  I  love  him  far  too  well  to  refuse  to  sub- 
mit to  him  in  this,  and  I  fear  God,  who  bids  me 
obey  and  honor  him.  But,  Enna,  how  did  you 
learn  all  this?" 

"  Ah,  that  is  my  secret." 

Elsie  looked  disturbed.     "  Vron't  you  tell  me?  " 

"Not  I." 

"  Is  it  generally  known  in  the  family?  " 

"  So  far  as  I  am  aware,  no  one  knows  it  but 
myself." 

"  Ah!  "  thought  Elsie,  "  I  did  not  believe  Aunt 
Adelaide  or  Walter  would  tell  her;  but  I  wonder 
how  she  did  find  it  out." 

"  I  wouldn't  give  up  the  man  I  loved  for  any- 
body," Enna  vent  on  in  a  sneering  tone.  "  I 
say  parents  have  no  business  to  interfere  in  such 
matters;  and  so  I  told  papa  quite  plainly  when  he 
took  it  upon  him  to  lecture  me  about  receiving 
attentions  from  Dick  Percival,  and  threatened 
to  forbid  him  the  house." 

"  Oh,  Enna! " 

"  You  consider  it  wickedly  disrespectful  and 
rebellious  no  doubt,  but  I  say  I'm  no  longer  a 
child,  and  so  the  text,  'Children  obey  your 
parents ' — which  I  know  is  just  on  the  end  of 
your  tongue — doesn't  apply  to  me." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  30? 

"  The  Bible  doesn't  say  obey  till  you  are  of  age, 
then  do  as  you  please.  You  are  not  seventeen 
yet,  and  Isaac  was  twenty  when  he  submitted  to 
be  bound  and  laid  upon  the  altar.'7 

"  Well,  when  I  go  to  the  altar,  it  shall  be  lean- 
ing on  Dick's  arm,"  said  Enna,  laughing.  "I 
don't  care  if  he  is  wild;  I  like  him,  and  intend  to 
marry  him  too." 

"  But  are  you  not  afraid?  " 

"Afraid  of  what?" 

"That  he  will  run  through  his  property  in  ft 
few  years,  and  perhaps  become  an  habitual  drunk- 
ard and  abusive  to  his  wife." 

"I  mean  to  risk  it  anyhow,"  returned  Enna 
sharply,  "  so  it  is  not  worth  while  for  my  friends 
to  waste  their  breath  in  lecturing  me  on  the  sub- 
ject." 

"  Oh,  Enna!  you  can't  expect  a  blessing,  if  you 
persist  in  being  so  undutiful;  I  think  it  would  be 
well  for  you  if  your  father  were  more  like  mine/' 

"Indeed!  I  wouldn't  be  your  father's  daughter 
for  anything." 

<e  And  I  am  glad  and  thankful  that  I  am." 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

The  human  heart!  'tis  a  thing  that  lives 

In  the  light  of  many  a  shrine  ; 

And  the  gem  of  its  own  pure  feelings  gives 

Too  oft  on  brows  that  are  false  to  shine  ; 

It  has  many  a  cloud  of  care  and  woe 

To  shadow  o'er  its  springs, 

And  the  One  above  alone  may  know 

The  changing  tune  of  its  thousand  strings, 

—MRS.  L.  P.  SMITH. 

MR.  AND  MRS.  HORACE  DIXSUORE  were  moet 
anxious  to  promote  Elsie's  happiness,  and  in  order 
to  that  to  win  her  to  forgetfulness  of  her  un- 
worthy suitor.  Being  Christians  they  did  not 
take  her  to  the  ball-room,  the  Opera,  or  the 
theater  (nor  would  she  have  consented  to  go  had 
they  proposed  it),  but  they  provided  for  her  every 
sort  of  suitable  amusement  within  their  reach. 
She  was  allowed  to  entertain  as  much  company 
and  to  pay  as  many  visits  to  neighbors  and  friends 
as  she  pleased. 

But  a  constant  round  of  gayety  was  not  to  her 
taste;  she  loved  quiet  home  pleasures  and  intel- 
lectual pursuits  far  better.  And  of  these  also 
she  might  take  her  fill,  nor  lack  for  sympathiz- 
ing companionship;  both  parents,  but  especially 
her  father,  being  of  like  mind  with  herself. 
They  enjoyed  many  a  book  together,  and  she 
chose  to  pursue  several  studies  with  him.  ) 

And  thus  the  weeks  and  months  glided  away 

308 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  309 

not  unhappily,  though  at  times  she  would  be  pos- 
sessed with  a  restless  longing  for  news  from  Eger- 
ton,  and  for  the  love  that  was  denied  her;  then 
her  eyes  would  occasionally  meet  her  father's 
with  the  old  wistful,  pleading  look  that  he  found 
BO  hard  to  resist. 

He  well  understood  their  mute  petition;  yet  it 
was  one  he  could  not  grant.  But  he  would  take 
her  in  his  arms,  and  giving  her  the  fondest, 
tenderest  caresses,  would  say,  in  a  moved  tone, 
-'  My  darling,  don't  look  at  me  in  that  way;  it  al- 
most breaks  my  heart.  Ah,  if  you  could  only  be 
satisfied  with  your  father's  love!  " 

"  I  will  try,  papa,"  was  her  usual  answer,  "  and 
ph,  your  love  is  very  sweet  and  precious!  " 

Such  a  little  scene,  occurring  one  morning  in 
Elsie's  boudoir,  was  interrupted  by  Chloe  coming 
in  to  say  that  Miss  Carrington  had  called  to  see 
her  young  mistress  and  was  waiting  in  the  draw- 
ing-room. 

"  Show  her  in  here,  mammy,"  Elsie  said,  dis- 
engaging herself  from  her  father's  arms,  and 
smoothing  out  her  dress.  "  She  used  to  come 
here  in  the  old  times  without  waiting  for  an  invi- 
tation." 

The  Carringtons  had  not  been  able  quite  to 
forgive  the  rejection  of  Herbert's  suit,  and  since 
his  death  there  had  been  a  slight  coolness  be- 
tween the  two  families,  and  the  girls  had  seen 
much  less  of  each  other  than  in  earlier  days;  their 
intercourse  being  confined  to  an  occasional  ex- 
change of  formal  calls,  except  when  they  met  at 
the  house  of  some  common  acquaintance  or 
friend.  Still  they  were  mutually  attached,  and 


310  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

of  late  had  resumed  much  of  their  old  warmth  of 
manner  toward  each  other. 

"  Ah,  this  seems  like  going  back  to  the  dear  old 
times  again,"  Lucy  said  when  their  greetings 
were  over,  and  sending  an  admiring  glance  about 
the  luxuriously  furnished  apartment  as  she  spoke. 
"  I  always  thought  this  the  most  charming  of 
rooms,  Elsie,  but  how  many  lovely  things, — per- 
fect gems  of  art, — you  have  added  to  it  since  I 
saw  it  last." 

"  Papa's  gifts  to  his  spoiled  darling,  most  of 
them,"  answered  Elsie,  with  a  loving  look  and 
smile  directed  to  him. 

"Petted,  but  not  spoiled,"  he  said,  returning 
the  smile. 

"No,  indeed,  I  should  think  not,"  said  Lucy. 
"  Mamma  says  she  is  the  most  perfectly  obedient, 
affectionate  daughter  she  ever  saw,  and  I  can't 
tell  you  how  often  I  have  heard  her  wish  I  was 
more  like  her." 

"Ah,"  said  Elsie,  "I  think  Mrs.  Carrington 
has  always  looked  at  me  through  rose-colored 
spectacles." 

After  a  little  more  chat  Lucy  told  her  errand. 
Her  parents  and  herself,  indeed  the  whole  family, 
she  said,  had  greatly  regretted  the  falling  off  of 
their  former  intimacy  and  strongly  desired  to 
renew  it;  and  she  had  come  to  beg  Elsie  to  go 
home  with  her  and  spend  a  week  at  Ashlands  in 
the  old  familiar  way. 

Elsie's  eye  brightened,  and  her  cheek  flushed. 
"Dear  Lucy,  how  kind!"  she  exclaimed;  then 
turned  inquiringly  to  her  father. 

"Yes,  it  is  very  kind,"  he  said.    "Use  your 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  311 

own  pleasure,  daughter.  I  think  perhaps  the 
change  might  do  you  good." 

"  Thanks,  papa,  then  I  shall  go.  Lucy,  I  ac- 
cept your  invitation  with  pleasure." 

They  were  soon  on  their  way,  cantering  briskly 
along  side  by  side,  Lucy  in  gay,  almost  wild 
spirits,  and  Elsie's  depression  rapidly  vanishing 
beneath  the  combined  influence  of  the  bracing  air 
and  exercise,  the  brilliant  sunshine,  and  her 
friend's  lively  sallies. 

Arrived  at  Ashlands,  she  found  herself  received 
and  welcomed  with  all  the  old  warmth  of  affec- 
tion. Mrs.  Carrington  folded  her  to  her  heart 
and  wept  over  her.  "  My  poor  boy!  "  she  whis- 
pered; "  it  seems  almost  to  bring  him  back  again 
to  have  you  with  us  once  more.  But  I  will  not 
mourn,"  she  added,  wiping  her  eyes;  "for  our 
loss  has  been  his  great  gain." 

Tender  memories  of  Herbert,  associated  with 
nearly  every  room  in  the  house,  saddened  and 
eubdued  Elsie's  spirit  for  a  time,  yet  helped  to 
banish  thoughts  of  Egerton  from  her  mind. 

But  Lucy  had  a  great  deal  to  tell  her,  and  in 
listening  to  these  girlish  confidences,  Herbert  was 
again  half  forgotten.  Lucy  too  had  spent  the 
past  summer  in  the  North,  and  had  there  "met 
her  fate."  She  was  engaged,  the  course  of  true 
love  seemed  to  be  running  smoothly,  and  they  ex- 
pected to  marry  in  a  year. 

Elsie  listened  with  interest,  sympathizing 
warmly  in  her  friend's  happiness;  but  Lucy,  who 
was  watching  her  keenly,  noticed  a  shade  of  deep 
sadness  steal  over  her  face. 

"  Now  I  have  told  you  all  my  secrets,"  she  saids 


312  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"won't  you  treat  me  as  generously,  by  trusting 
ine  with  yours  ?  " 

"  If  I  had  as  happy  a  tale  to  tell,"  replied  Elsie, 
the  tears  filling  her  eyes. 

"  You  poor  dear,  what  is  wrong?  Is  it  that 
papa  refuses  his  consent." 

Elsie  nodded;  her  heart  was  too  full  for  speech. 

"What  a  shame!"  cried  Lucy.  "Does  he 
really  mean  to  keep  you  single  all  your  life?  is  he 
quite  determined  to  make  an  old  maid  of  you?  " 

"  No,  oh,  no!  but  he  does  not  believe  my  friend 
to  be  a  good  man.  There  seems  to  be  some  sad 
mistake,  and  I  cannot  blame  papa;  because  if  Mr. 
Egerton  really  was  what  he  thinks  him,  it  would 
be  folly  and  sin  for  me  to  have  anything  to  do 
with  him;  and  indeed  I  could  not  give  either  hand 
or  heart  to  one  so  vile, — a  profane  swearer,  gam- 
bler, drunkard,  and  rake." 

"  Oh,  my,  no! "  and  Lucy  looked  quite  horri- 
fied; "  but  you  don't  believe  him  such  a  villain?  " 

"  No;  on  the  contrary  I  think  him  a  truly  con- 
verted man.  I  believe  he  was  a  little  wild  at  one 
time;  for  he  told  me  he  had  been;  but  I  believe, 
too,  that  he  has  truly  repented,  and  therefore 
ought  to  be  forgiven." 

"  Then  I  wouldn't  give  him  up  if  I  were  you, 
father  or  no  father,"  remarked  Lucy,  with  spirit. 

"  But,  Lucy,  there  is  the  command,  '  Children, 
obey  your  parents.' " 

"  But  you  are  not  a  child." 

<e  Hardly  more,  not  of  age  for  more  than  two 
years." 

"Well,  when  you  are  of  age,  surely  you  wilt 
consider  a  lover's  claims  before  those  of  a  father." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD,  313 

"  No,"  Elsie  answered  low  and  sadly.  "  I  shall 
never  marry  without  papa's  consent.  I  love  him 
far  too  dearly  to  grieve  him  so;  and  it  would  be 
running  too  fearful  a  risk." 

"  Then  you  have  resigned  your  lover  entirely?  " 

"  Unless  he  can  some  day  succeed  in  convincing 
papa  that  he  is  not  so  unworthy." 

"  Well,  you  are  a  model  of  filial  piety!  and  de- 
serve to  be  happy,  and  I  am  ever  so  sorry  for 
you,"  cried  Lucy,  clasping  her  in  her  arms,  and 
kissing  her  affectionately. 

"  Thank  you,  dear,"  Elsie  said,  "  but  oh,  I  can- 
not bear  to  have  my  father  blamed.  Believing  as 
he  does,  how  could  he  do  otherwise  than  forbid 
all  intercourse  between  us?  And  he  is  so  very, 
very  kind,  so  tenderly  affectionate  to  me.  Ah,  I 
could  never  do  without  his  dear  love! " 

After  this,  the  two  had  frequent  talks  together 
on  the  same  subject,  and  though  Lucy  did  not 
find  any  fault  with  Mr.  Dinsmore,  she  yet  pleaded 
Egerton's  cause,  urging  that  it  seemed  very  unfair 
in  Elsie  to  condemn  him  unheard,  very  hard  not 
to  allow  him  even  so  much  as  a  parting  word. 

"  I  had  no  choice,"  Elsie  said  again  and  again, 
in  a  voice  full  of  tears;  "  it  was  papa's  command, 
and  I  could  do  nothing  but  obey.  Oh,  Lucy,  it 
was  very,  very  hard  for  me,  too!  and  yet  my  father 
was  doing  only  his  duty,  if  his  judgment  of  Mr. 
Egerton's  character  was  correct." 

One  afternoon,  when  Elsie  had  been  at  Ash- 
lands  four  or  five  days,  Lucy  came  flying  into  her 
room;  "  Oh,  I'm  so  glad  to  find  you  dressed!  You 
see  I'm  in  the  midst  of  my  toilet,  and  Scip  has 
just  brought  up  word  that  a  gentleman  is  in  the 


314  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

parlor  asking  for  the  young  ladies — Miss  Dins* 
more  and  Miss  Carrington.  Would  you  mind 
going  down  alone  and  entertaining  him  till  I 
come?  do,  there's  a  dear." 

"Who  is  he?" 

"  Scip  didn't  seem  to  have  quite  understood  the 
name;  but  it  must  be  some  one  we  both  know, 
and  if  you  don't  mind  going,  it  would  be  a  relief 
to  my  nerves  to  know  that  he's  not  sitting  there 
with  nothing  to  do  but  count  the  minutes,  and 
think,  '  What  an  immense  time  it  takes  Miss  Car- 
rington to  dress.  She  must  be  very  anxious  to 
make  a  good  impression  upon  me.'  For  you  see 
men  are  so  conceited,  they  are  always  imagining 
we're  la}dng  ourselves  out  to  secure  their  admira- 
tion." 

"  I  will  go  down  then,"  Elsie  answered,  smil- 
ing, "  and  do  what  I  can  to  keep  him  from  think- 
ing any  such  unworthy  thoughts  of  you.  But 
please  follow  me  as  soon  as  you  can." 

The  caller  had  the  drawing-room  to  himself, 
and  as  Elsie  entered  was  standing  at  the  centre- 
table  with  his  back  toward  her.  As  she  drew 
near,  he  turned  abruptly,  caught  her  hand  in  his, 
threw  his  arm  about  her  waist,  and  kissed  her 
passionately,  crying  in  a  low  tone  of  rapturous 
delight,  "My  darling,  I  have  you  at  last! 
Oh,  how  I  have  suffered  from  this  cruel  separa- 
tion." 

It  was  Egerton,  and  for  a  few  moments  she 
forgot  everything  else,  in  her  glad  surprise  at  the 
unexpected  meeting. 

He  drew  her  to  a  sofa,  and  still  keeping  his  arm 
about  her,  poured  out  a  torrent  of  fond  loverlike 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  315 

words,  mingled  with  tender  reproaches  that  she 
had  given  him  up  so  easily,  and  protestations  of 
his  innocence  of  the  vices  and  crimes  laid  to  his 
charge. 

At  first  Elsie  flushed  rosy  red,  and  a  sweet  light 
of  love  and  joy  shone  in  the  soft  eyes,  half  veiled 
by  their  heavy,  drooping  lashes;  hut  as  he  went 
on  her  cheek  grew  deathly  pale,  and  she  struggled 
to  free  herself  from  his  embrace. 

"  Let  me  go!  "  she  cried,  in  an  agitated  tone  of 
earnest  entreaty,  "  I  must,  indeed  I  must!  I  can't 
stay — I  ought  not;  I  should  not  have  come  in,  or 
allowed  you  to  speak  to,  or  touch  me.  Papa  has 
forbidden  all  intercourse  between  us,  and  he  will 
be  so  angry."  And  she  burst  into  tears. 

"  Then  don't  go  back  to  him;  stay  with  me, 
and  give  me  a  right  to  protect  you  from  his  anger. 
I  can't  bear  to  see  you  weep,  and  if  you  will  be 
mine — my  own  little  wife,  you  shall  never  have 
cause  to  shed  another  tear,"  he  said,  drawing  her 
closer  to  him  and  kissing  them  away. 

"  No,  no,  I  cannot,  I  cannot!  You  must  let  me 
go;  indeed  you  must!  "  she  cried,  shrinking  from 
the  touch  of  his  lip  upon  her  cheek,  and  averting 
her  face,  "  I  am  doing  wrong,  very  wrong  to  stay 
here! " 

"No,  I  shall  hold  you  fast  for  a  few  blissful 
moments  at  least;"  he  answered,  tightening  his 
grasp  and  repeating  his  caresses,  as  she  struggled 
the  harder  to  be  free.  "  You  cannot  be  so  cruel 
as  to  refuse  to  hear  my  defence." 

"  Oh,  I  cannot  stay  another  moment — I  must 
not  hear  another  word,  for  every  instant  that  I 
linger  I  am  guilty  of  a  fresh  act  of  disobedience 


316  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

to  papa.  I  shall  be  compelled  to  call  for  help  if 
you  do  not  loose  your  hold." 

He  took  his  arm  from  her  waist,  but  still  held 
fast  to  her  hand.  "  No,  don't  do  that,"  he  said; 
"  think  what  a  talk  it  would  make.  I  shall  de- 
tain you  but  a  moment,  and  surely  you  may  as 
well  stay  that  much  longer; ( in  for  a  penny,  in  for 
a  pound/  you  know.  Oh,  Elsie,  can't  you  give  me 
a  little  hope." 

"If  you  can  gain  papa's  approval,  not  other- 
wise." 

"  But  when  you  come  of  age." 

"  I  shall  never  marry  without  my  father's  con- 
sent." 

"  Surely  you  carry  your  ideas  of  obedience  too 
far.  You  owe  a  duty  to  yourself  and  to  me,  as 
well  as  to  your  father.  Excuse  my  plainness,  but 
in  the  course  of  nature  we  shall  both  outlive  him, 
and  is  it  right  to  sacrifice  the  happiness  of  our 
two  lives  because  he  has  unfortunately  imbibed  a 
prejudice  against  me?" 

"  I  could  expect  no  blessing  upon  a  union  en- 
tered into  in  direct  opposition  to  my  father's 
wishes  and  commands,"  she  answered  with  sad 
and  gentle  firmness. 

"  That's  a  hard  kind  of  obedience;  and  I  don't 
think  it  would  answer  to  put  in  practice  in  all 
eases,"  he  said  bitterly. 

"  Perhaps  not;  I  do  not  attempt  to  decide  for 
others;  bat  I  am  convinced  of  my  s-Tra  duty;  and 
know  too  that  I  should  be  wretched  indeed,  if  I 
had  tc  live  under  papa's  frown.  And  oh,  how  I 
am  disobeying  him  now!  I  imist  go  this  instant! 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  317 

Release  m3r  hand,  Mr.  Egerton."  And  she  tried 
with  all  her  strength  to  wrench  it  free. 

"  No,  no,  not  yet,"  he  said  entreatingly.  "  I 
have  not  given  you  half  the  proofs  of  my  inno- 
cence that  I  can  bring  forward;  do  me  the  simple 
justice  to  stay  and  hear  them." 

She  made  no  reply  but  half  yielded,  ceasing  her 
struggles  for  a  moment.  She  had  no  strength 
to  free  her  hand  from  his  grasp,  and  could  not 
bear  to  call  others  upon  the  scene.  Trembling 
with  agitation  and  eagerness,  she  waited  for  his 
promised  proofs;  but  instead  he  only  poured  forth 
a  continuous  stream  of  protestations,  expostula- 
tions and  entreaties. 

"  Mr.  Egerton,  I  must,  I  must  go,"  she  re- 
peated; "  this  is  nothing  to  the  purpose,  and  I 
cannot  stay  to  hear  it." 

A  step  was  heard  approaching;  he  hastily  drew 
her  toward  him,  touched  his  lips  again  to  her 
cheek,  released  her,  and  she  darted  from  the  room 
by  one  door,  as  Lucy  entered  by  another. 

"Where  is  she?  gone?  what's  the  matter? 
wasn't  she  pleased  to  see  you?  wouldn't  she 
stay?" 

Lucy  looked  into  the  disappointed,  angry,  cha- 
grined face  of  Egerton,  and  in  her  surprise  and 
yexation  piled  question  upon  question  without 
giving  him  time  to  answer. 

"  No,  the  girl's  a  fool! "  he  muttered  angrily, 
and  turning  hastily  from  her,  paced  rapidly  to 
and  fro  for  a  moment;  then  suddenly  recollecting 
himself,  "  I  beg  pardon,  Miss  Carrington,"  he 
eaid,  coming  back  to  the  sofa  on  which  she  sat  re- 


318  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

garding  him  with  a  perturbed,  displeased  counte- 
nance., "  I — I  forgot  mj'self ;  but  you  will  perhaps, 
know  how  to  excuse  an  almost  distracted  lover." 

"  Keally,  sir,"  returned  Lucy  coolly,  "  your 
words  just  now  did  not  sound  very  lover-like;  and 
would  rather  lead  one  to  suspect  that  possibly  Mr. 
Dinsniore  may  be  in  the  right." 

He  flushed  hotly.  "  What  can  you  mean,  Miss 
Carrington?" 

"  That  your  love  is  for  her  fortune  rather-  than 
for  herself." 

"Indeed  you  wrong  me.  I  adore  Miss  Pins- 
more,  and  would  consider  myself  the  happiest  of 
mortals  could  I  but  secure  her  hand,  even  though 
phe  came  to  me  penniless.  But  she  has  imbibed 
the  most  absurd,  ridiculous  ideas  of  filial  duty 
and  refuses  to  give  me  the  smallest  encourage- 
ment unless  I  can  gain  her  father's  consent  and 
approval;  which,  seeing  he  has  conceived  a  violent 
dislike  to  me,  is  a  hopeless  thing.  Now  can  you 
not  realize  that  the  more  ardent  my  love  for  her, 
the  more  frantically  impatient  I  would  feel  under 
.  such  treatment?" 

"  Perhaps  so;  men  are  so  different  from  women; 
but  nothing  could  ever  make  me  apply  such  an 
epithet  to  the  man  I  loved." 

"Distracted  with  disappointed  hopes,  I  was 
hardly  a  sane  man  at  the  moment,  Miss  Carring- 
ton," he  said  deprecatingly. 

"  The  coveted  interview  has  proved  entirely  un- 
satisfactory then?  "  she  said  in  a  tone  of  inquiry. 

"  Yes;  and  yet  I  am  most  thankful  to  have  had 
Bight  and  speech  of  her  once  more;  truly  grateful 
to  you  for  bringing  it  about  so  cleverly.  But— 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  319 

»fi,  Miss  Carrington,  could  you  be  persuaded  To 
assist  me  still  further,  you  would  lay  me  under 
lasting  obligations! " 

"  Please  explain  yourself,  sir,"  she  answered 
coldly,  moving  farther  from  him,  as  he  attempted 
to  take  her  hand. 

"  Excuse  me,"  he  said.  "  I  am  not  one  in- 
clined to  take  liberties  with  ladies;  but  I  am 
hardly  myself  to-day;  my  overpowering  emotion. 
— my  half  distracted  state  of  mind " 

Breaking  off  his  sentence  abruptly,  and  put- 
ting his  hand  to  his  head,  "  I  believe  I  shall  go 
mad  if  I  have  to  resign  all  hope  of  winning  the 
sweet,  lovely  Elsie,"  he  exclaimed  excitedly,  "  and 
I  see  only  one  way  of  doing  it.  If  I  could  carry 
her  off,  and  get  her  quite  out  of  her  father's 
reach,  so  that  no  fear  of  him  need  deter  her  from 
following  the  promptings  of  her  own  heart,  I  am 
sure  I  could  induce  her  to  consent  to  marry  me  at 
once.  Miss  Carrington,  will  you  help  me?  " 

"  Never!  If  Elsie  chooses  to  run  away  with 
you,  and  wants  any  assistance  from  me,  she  shall 
have  it;  but  I  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  kid- 
napping." 

He  urged,  entreated,  used  every  argument  he 
could  think  of,  but  with  no  other  effect  than  rous- 
ing Lucy's  anger  and  indignation;  "  underhand 
dealings  were  not  in  her  line,"  she  told  him,  and 
finally — upon  his  intimating  that  what  she  had 
already  done  might  be  thought  to  come  under 
that  head — almost  ordered  him  out  of  the  house. 

He  went,  and  hurrying  to  her  friend's  room, 
she  found  her  walking  about  it  in  a  state  of  great 
agitation,  and  weeping  bitterly. 


*20  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"Oh,  Lucy,  how  could  you?  how  could  you?" 
ehe  cried,  wringing  her  hands  and  sobbing  in 
pitiable  distress.  "  I  had  no  thought  of  him 
when  I  went  down;  I  did  not  know  you  knew  him, 
or  that  he  was  in  this  part  of  the  country  at  all. 
I  was  completely  taken  by  surprise,  and  have  dis- 
obeyed papa's  most  express  commands,  and  he 
will  never  forgive  me,  never!  No,  not  that 
either,  but  he  will  be  very,  very  angry.  Oh,  what 
ehall  I  do! " 

"  Oh,  Elsie,  dear,  don't  be  so  troubled!  I  am  as 
sorry  as  I  can  be,"  said  Lucy,  with  tears  in  her 
eyes.  "  I  meant  to  do  you  a  kindness;  indeed  I 
did;  I  thought  it  would  be  a  joyful  surprise  to 
you. 

"  I  met  him  last  summer  at  Saratoga.  He 
came  there  immediately  from  Lansdale,  and  some- 
how we  found  out  directly  that  we  both  knew 
you,  and  that  I  was  a  near  neighbor  and  very  old 
friend  of  yours;  and  he  told  me  the  whole  story 
of  your  love-affair,  and  quite  enlisted  me  in  his 
cause;  he  seemed  so  depressed  and  melancholy  at 
your  loss,  and  grieved  so  over  the  hasty  way  in 
which  your  father  had  separated  you, — not  even 
allowing  a  word  of  farewell. 

"  He  told  me  he  hoped  and  believed  you  were 
still  faithful  to  him  in  your  heart,  but  he  could 
not  get  to  see  or  speak  to  you,  or  hold  any  corre- 
spondence with  you.  And  so  I  arranged  this  way 
of  bringing  you  together." 

"  It  was  kindly  meant,  I  have  no  doubt,  Lucy, 
but  oh,  you  don't  know  what  you  have  done!  I 
tremble  at  the  very  thought  of  papa's  anger  when 
he  hears  it;  for  I  have  done  and  permitted  thingp 


ELSIE'S  OFRLHOOD.  321 

te  said  he  would  not  allow  for  thousands  of 
dollars." 

"Well,  dear,  I  don't  think  you  could  help  it; 
and  I'm  so  sorry  for  my  share  in  it,"  said  Lucy, 
putting  her  arms  round  her,  and  kissing  her  wet 
cheek.  "  But  perhaps  your  father  will  not  be  so 
very  angry  with  you  after  all;  and  at  any  rate  you 
are  too  old  to  be  whipped,  so  a  scolding  will  be 
the  worst  you  will  be  likely  to  get." 

"He  never  did  whip  me,  never  struck  me  a 
blow  in  his  life;  but  I  would  prefer  the  pain  of  a 
dozen  whippings  to  what  I  expect,"  said  Elsie, 
with  a  fresh  burst  of  tears. 

"What  is  that,  you  poor  dear?"  asked  Lucy. 
"I  can't  imagine  what  he  could  do  worse  than 
beat  you." 

"  He  may  put  me  away  from  his  arms  for  weeks 
or  months,  and  be  cold,  and  stern,  and  distant  to 
me,  never  giving  me  a  caress  or  even  so  much  as  a 
kind  word  or  look.  Oh,  if  he  should  do  that,  how 
can  I  bear  it!" 

"  Well,  don't  tell  him  anything  about  it.  I 
wouldn't,  and  I  don't  see  any  reason  why  you 
should." 

Elsie  shook  her  head  sorrowf ulty.  "  I  must; 
I  never  conceal  anything — any  secret  of  my  own 
— from  him;  and  I  should  feel  like  a  guilty  thing, 
acting  a  lie,  and  could  not  look  him  in  the  face; 
and  he  would  know  from  my  very  look  and  man- 
ner that  something  was  wrong,  and  would  ques- 
tion me,  and  make  me  tell  him  all.  Lucy,  I  must 
go  home  at  once." 

"  No,  indeed,  you  must  not.  Why,  you  were  to 
stay  a  week — two  days  longer  than  this;  and  if 


822  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

you  were  ready  to  start  this  minute,  it  would  "Ke 
quite  dark  before  you  could  possibly  reach  the 
Oaks." 

Elsie  looked  at  her  watch,  and  perceiving  that 
her  friend  was  right,  gave  up  the  idea  of  going 
that  day,  but  said  she  must  leave  the  next  morn- 
ing. To  that  Lucy  again  objected.  "  I  can't 
bear  to  lose  those  two  days  of  your  promised 
visit,"  she  said,  "  for  if  you  are  determined  to  tell 
your  papa  all  about  this,  there's  no  knowing  when 
lie  will  allow  you  to  come  here  again." 

"  Never,  I  fear,"  sighed  Elsie. 

"I  haven't  been  able  to  help  feeling  a  little 
iiard  to  him  on  poor  Herbert's  account,"  Lucy 
went  on,  "  and  I  believe  that  had  something  to 
do  with  my  readiness  to  help  Egerton  to  outwit 
him  in  obtaining  an  interview  with  you.  But  I'll 
never  do  anything  of  the  kind  again;  so  he  needn't 
be  afraid  to  let  you  come  to  see  us." 

She  then  told  Elsie  what  had  passed  in  the 
drawing-room  between  Egerton  and  herself — his 
request  and  her  indignant  refusal. 

It  helped  to  shake  Elsie's  confidence  in  the 
man,  and  made  her  still  more  remorseful  in  view 
of  that  day's  disobedience;  for  she  could  not  de- 
ceive herself  into  the  belief  that  she  had  been 
altogether  blameless.  "  As  I  said  before,  I  can't 
bear  the  idea  of  losing  you  so  soon,"  continued 
Lucy,  "but  there  is  still  another  reason  why  I 
must  beg  of  you  to  stay  till  the  set  time  of  your 
leaving.  Mamma  knows  nothing  about  this 
affair,  and  would  be  exceedingly  displeased  with 
me,  if  she  should  find  it  out;  as  of  course  she  must, 
if  you  go  to-morrow;  as  that  would  naturally  call 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  323 

fcut  an  explanation.  So,  dear,  do  promise  me* 
that  you  will  give  up  the  idea." 

Elsie  hesitated,  but  not  liking  to  bring  Lucy 
into  trouble,  finally  yielded  to  her  urgent  entrea- 
ties, and  consented  to  stay. 

All  the  enjoyment  of  her  visit,  however,  was 
over;  she  felt  it  impossible  to  rest  till  her  father 
knew  all,  shed  many  tears  in  secret,  and  had 
much  ado  to  conceal  the  traces  of  them,  and  ap- 
pear cheerful  in  the  presence  of  the  family. 

But  the  two  wretched  days  were  over  at  last, 
and  declining  the  urgent  invitations  of  her 
friends  to  linger  with  them  a  little  longer,  she 
bade  them  an  affectionate  farewell,  and  set  out 
for  home. 

Jim  had  been  sent  to  escort  her,  another  serv- 
ant with  the  wagon  for  Chloe  and  the  luggage. 
Struck  with  a  sudden  fear  that  she  might  meet 
or  be  overtaken  by  Egerton,  Elsie  ordered  Jim  to 
keep  up  close  in  the  rear,  then  touching  the  whip 
to  her  horse,  started  off  at  a  brisk  canter.  Her 
thoughts  were  full  of  the  coming  interview  with 
^her  father,  which  she  dreaded  exceedingly,  while 
at  the  same  time  she  longed  to  have  it  over.  She 
drew  rein  at  the  great  gates  leading  into  the 
grounds,  and  the  servant  dismounted  and  opened 
them. 

"  Jim,"  she  asked,  "  is  your  master  at  home?  " 

"  Dunno,  Miss  Elsie,  but  the  missus  am  gone 
ober  to  Ion  to  spend  the  day,  an  lef  little  Marse 
Horace  at  Boselands."  , 

"  Why,  what's  tho  matter,  Jim?  " 

"  De  missus  at  Ion  little  bit  sick,  I  b'lieve,  Miss 
Elsie." 


324  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"And  papa  didn't  go  with  them?" 

"  Yes,  miss;  but  he  corned  right  back  again,  and 
I  'spect  he's  in  de  house  now." 

"  Dear  papa!  he  came  back  to  receive  me,"  mur- 
mured Elsie  to  herself,  as  she  rode  on,  and  a 
scalding  tear  fell  at  the  thought  of  how  the  lov- 
ing look  and  fond  caress  with  which  he  was  sure 
to  greet  her,  would  be  quickly  exchanged  for  dark 
frowns,  and  stern,  cold  reproofs. 

"  Oh,  if  I  were  a  child  again,  I  believe  I  should 
hope  he  would  just  whip  me  at  once,  and  then  for- 
give me,  and  it  would  be  all  over;  but  now — oh, 
dear!  how  long  will  his  displeasure  last?  " 

It  was  just  as  she  had  expected;  he  was  on  the 
veranda,  watching  for  her  coming — hastened  for- 
ward, assisted  her  to  alight,  embraced  her  ten- 
derly, then  pushing  aside  her  veil,  looked  search- 
ingly  into  her  face. 

"  What  is  the  matter?  "  he  asked,  as  her  eyes 
met  his  for  an  instant  with  a  beseeching,  implor- 
ing glance,  then  fell  beneath  his  gaze  while  her 
face  flushed  crimson. 

She  tried  to  answer  him,  but  her  tongue  re- 
fused to  do  its  office,  there  was  a  choking  sensa- 
tion in  her  throat  and  her  lips  quivered. 

He  led  her  into  his  private  study,  took  off  her 
hat  and  threw  it  aside,  and  seating  her  on  a  sofa, 
still  keeping  his  arm  about  her — for  she  was 
trembling  very  much — asked  again,  "  What  is  the 
matter?  what  has  gone  wrong  with  you,  my 
daughter?  " 

His  tone,  his  look,  his  manner  were  very  gentle 
and  tender;  but  that  only  increased  her  remorse 
and  self-reproach. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  325 

"  Papa,  don't  be  so  kind,"  she  faltered;  "  I— I 
don't  deserve  it,  for  I  have — disobeyed  you." 

"Is  it  possible!  when?  where?  and  how?  Can 
it  be  that  you  have  seen  and  spoken  with  that — 
scoundrel,  Elsie  ?  " 

"Yes,  papa."  Her  voice  was  very  low  and 
tremulous,  her  heart  throbbed  almost  to  suffoca- 
tion, her  bosom  heaved  tumultuously,  and  her 
color  came  and  went  with  every  breath. 

He  rose  and  paced  hurriedly  across  the  room 
two  or  three  times,  then  coming  back  to  her  side, 
"  Tell  me  all  about  it,"  he  said  sternly—"  every 
action,  every  word  spoken  by  either,  as  far  as  you 
can  recall  it." 

She  obeyed  in  the  same  low,  tremulous  tones 
in  which  she  had  answered  him  before,  her  voice 
now  and  then  broken  by  a  half-smothered  sob, 
and  her  eyes  never  once  meeting  his,  which  she 
felt  were  fixed  so  severely  upon  her  tearful,  down- 
cast face. 

He  cross-questioned  her  till  he  knew  all  that 
had  passed  nearly  as  well  as  if  he  had  been  present 
through  the  whole  interview,  his  tones  growing 
more  and  more  stern  and  angry. 

"And  you  dared  to  permit  all  that,  Elsie?" 
he  exclaimed  when  she  had  finished;  "  to  allow 
that  vile  wretch  to  put  his  arm  around  you,  hold 
your  hand  in  his,  for  half  an  hour  probably,  and 
even  to  press  his  lips  again  and  again  to  yours  or 
to  your  cheek;  and  that  after  I  had  told  you  I 
would  not  have  him  take  such  a  liberty  with  you 
for  half  I  am  worth;  and — " 

"  Not  to  my  lips,  papa." 

"  Then  it  is  not  quite  so  ba'l  as  I  thought,  but 


326  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"bad  enough  certainly;  and  all  this  after  I  had 
positively  forbidden  you  to  even  so  much  as  ex- 
change the  slightest  salutation  with  him.  What 
am  I  to  think  of  such  high-handed  rebellion?  " 

"  Papa,"  she  said  beseechingly,  "  is  not  that  too 
hard  a  word?  I  did  not  disobey  deliberately — I 
don't  think  anything  could  have  induced  me  to 
go  into  that  room  knowing  that  he  was  there. 
I  was  taken  by  surprise,  and  when  he  had  got 
hold  of  my  hand  I  tried  in  vain  to  get  it  free." 

"  Don't  attempt  to  excuse  yourself,  Elsie.  You 
could  have  escaped  from  him  at  once,  by  simply 
raising  your  voice  and  calling  for  assistance.  I 
do  not  believe  it  would  have  been  impossible  to 
avoid  even  that  first  embrace;  and  it  fairly  makes 
my  blood  boil  to  think  he  succeeded  in  giving  it 
to  you.  How  dared  you  so  disobey  me  as  to  sub- 
mit to  it  ?  " 

"  Papa,  at  the  moment  I  forgot  everything  but 
— but  just  that  he  was  there." 

The  last  words  were  spoken  in  a  voice  scarcely 
raised  above  a  whisper,  while  her  head  drooped 
lower  and  lower  and  her  cheek  grew  hot  with 
shame. 

"Did  I  ever  take  forgetfulness  of  my  orders 
as  any  excuse  of  disobedience?"  he  asked  in  as 
stern  a  tone  as  he  had  ever  used  to  her. 

"  No,  papa;  but  oh,  don't  be  very  angry  with 
me!" 

"  I  am  exceedingly  displeased  with  you,  Elsie! 
so  much  so  that  nothing  but  your  sex  saves  you 
from  a  severe  chastisement.  And  I  cannot  allow 
you  to  escape  punishment.  You  must  be  taught 
that  though  no  longer  a  mere  child,  you  are  not 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  327 

yet  old  enough  to  disobey  me  with  impunity. 
Hush!"  as  she  seemed  about  to  speak,  "I  will 
not  have  a  word  of  reply.  Go  to  your  own  apart- 
ments and  consider  yourself  confined  to  them 
till  you  hear  further  from  me.  Stay! "  he  added 
as  she  rose  to  obey,  "when  did  all  this  occur?" 

She  told  him  in  her  low,  tearful  tones,  her  ut- 
terance half  choked  with  sobs. 

"  Two  days  ago,  and  yet  your  confession  has 
been  delayed  till  now.  Does  that  look  like  peni- 
tence for  your  fault?" 

She  explained  why  she  had  not  returned  home 
at  once;  but  he  refused  to  accept  the  excuse,  and 
ordered  her  away  as  sternly  as  before. 

She  obeyed  in  silence,  controlling  her  feelings 
by  a  great  effort,  until  she  had  gained  the  privacy 
of  her  own  apartments,  then  giving  way  to  a  fit 
of  almost  hysterical  weeping.  It  was  years  since 
'her  father  had  been  seriously  displeased  with  her, 
and  loving  him  with  such  intense  affection,  his 
anger  and  sternness  nearly  broke  her  heart. 

Her  tender  conscience  pricked  her  sorely  too, 
adding  greatly  to  her  distress  by  its  reproaches 
on  account  of  her  disobedience  and  her  delay  in 
confessing  it. 

It  came  to  her  mind  at  length  that  her  heav- 
enly Father  might  be  more  tender  and  forbear- 
ing with  her,  more  ready  to  forgive  and  restore 
to  favor,  than  her  earthly  one.  She  remembered 
the  sweet  words,  "  There  is  forgiveness  with  thee, 
that  thou  mayest  be  feared."  "  If  any  man  sin, 
we  have  an  advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ 
the  righteous."  She  went  to  Him  with  her  sin 
and  sorrow,  asking  pardon  for  the  past  and  help 


328  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

for  the  future.  She  asked,  too,  that  the  anger  of 
her  earthly  parent  might  be  turned  away;  that 
the  Lord  would  dispose  him  to  forgive  and  love 
her  as  before. 

She  rose  from  her  knees  with  a  heart,  though 
still  sad  and  sorrowful,  yet  lightened  of  more  than 
half  its  load. 

But  the  day  was  a  very  long  one;  with  a  mind 
so  disturbed  she  could  not  settle  to  any  employ- 
ment, or  find  amusement  in  anything.  She 
passed  the  time  in  wandering  restlessly  from 
room  to  room,  starting  and  trembling  as  now  and 
then  she  thought  she  heard  her  father's  step  or 
voice,  then  weeping  afresh  as  she  found  that  he 
did  not  come  near  her. 

When  the  dinner-bell  rang  she  hoped  he  would 
send,  or  come  to  her;  but  instead  he  sent  her  meal 
to  her;  such  an  one  as  was  usual  upon  their  table 
— both  luxurious  and  abundant, — which  com- 
forted her  with  the  hope  that  he  was  less  dis- 
pleased with  her  than  at  other  times  when  he  had 
allowed  her  little  more  than  prison  fare.  But  ex- 
citement and  mental  distress  had  brought  on  a 
severe  headache;  she  had  no  appetite,  and  sent 
the  food  away  almost  untasted. 

It  was  mild,  beautiful  weather  in  the  early 
spring;  such  weather  as  makes  one  feel  it  a  trial 
to  be  compelled  to  stay  within  doors,  and  Elsie 
longed  for  her  favorite  retreat  in  the  grounds. 

In  the  afternoon  some  ladies  called;  Mr.  Dins- 
more  was  out,  and  she  dared  not  go  to  the  draw- 
ing room  without  permission;  but  her  headache 
furnished  sufficient  excuse  for  declining  to  see 
them,  and  they  went  away. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  329 

Shortly  after,  she  heard  her  father's  return. 
He  had  not  been  off  the  estate,  or  out  of  sight  of 
the  house;  he  was  keeping  guard  over  her,  but 
still  did  not  come  near  her. 

Just  at  tea-time  she  again  heard  the  sound 
of  wheels;  then  her  father's,  mother's,  and  little 
brother's  voices. 

"  Mamma  and  Horace  have  come  home,"  she 
thought  with  a  longing  desire  to  run  out  and  em- 
brace them. 

"  Oh,  papa,  has  sister  come  home?"  she  heard 
the  child's  voice  ask  in  eager  tones. 

"  Yes." 

"  Oh,  then  I  must  run  into  her  room  and  kiss 
her! " 

"  No,  you  must  not;  stay  here." 

"  But  why  mustn't  I  go  to  sister,  papa?  "     - 

"  Because  I  forbid  it." 

Every  word  of  the  short  colloquy  reached  El- 
sie's ear,  adding  to  her  grief  and  dismay.  Was 
she,  then,  to  be  separated  from  all  the  rest  of  the 
family?  did  her  father  fear  that  she  would  exert 
a  bad  influence  over  Horace,  teaching  him  to  be 
disobedient  and  wilful?  How  deeply  humbled 
and  ashamed  she  felt  at  the  thought. 

Eose  gave  her  husband  a  look  of  surprised,  anx- 
ious inquiry.  "Is  Elsie  sick,  dear?"  she  asked. 

"  No,  Eose,  but  she  is  in  disgrace  with  me," 
he  answered  in  an  undertone,  as  he  led  the  way 
into  the  house. 

"Horace,  you  astonish  me!  what  can  she  have 
done  to  displease  you?  " 

"  Come  in  here;  and  I  will  tell  you,"  he  said, 
throwing  open  the  door  of  his  study. 


330  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

Eose  listened  in  silence,  while  he  repeated  to 
her  the  substance  of  Elsie's  confession,  mingled 
with  expressions  of  his  own  anger  and  indigna- 
tion. 

"  Poor  child! "  murmured  Eose,  as  he  con- 
cluded; "  Horace,  don't  be  hard  with  her;  she 
must  have  suffered  a  great  deal  in  these  last  three 
days." 

"  Yes,"  he  answered  in  a  moved  tone;  "  when 
I  think  of  that,  I  can  scarcely  refrain  from  going 
to  her,  taking  her  in  my  arms,  and  lavishing 
caresses  and  endearments  upon  her;  but  then 
comes  the  thought  of  her  allowing  that  scoun- 
drel to  do  the  same,  and  I  am  ready  almost  to 
whip  her  for  it."  His  face  flushed  hotly,  and  his 
dark  eyes  flashed  as  he  spoke. 

"  Oh,  my  dear! "  exclaimed  Eose,  half  fright- 
ened at  his  vehemence,  "you  cannot  mean 
it?" 

"  Eose,"  he  said,  pacing  to  and  fro  in  increas- 
ing excitement,  "  the  fellow  is  a  vile  wretch, 
whose  very  touch  I  esteem  pollution  to  a  sweet, 
fair,  innocent  young  creature  like  my  daughter. 
I  told  her  so,  and  positively  forbade  her  to  so 
much  as  look  at  him,  or  permit  him  to  see  her 
face,  if  it  could  be  avoided,  or  to  recognize,  or 
hold  the  slightest  communication  with  him  in 
any  way.  Yet  in  defiance  of  all  this,  she  allows 
him  to  take  her  hand  and  hold  it  for,  I  don't 
know  how  long,  put  his  arm  around  her  waist 
and  kiss  her  a  number  of  times.  Now  what  does 
such  disobedience  deserve?" 

"Had  she  no  excuse  to  offer?" 

"Excuse?    Yes,  she  did  not  disobey  deliber- 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  331 

ately — was  taken  by  surprise — forgot  everything 
but  that  he  was  there." 

"Well,,  my  dear,"  and  Eose's  hand  was  laid 
affectionately  on  his  arm,  while  a  tender  smile 
played  about  her  mouth,  and  her  sweet  blue  eyes 
looked  fondly  into  his.  "You  know  how  it  is 
with  lovers,  if  you  will  only  look  back  a  very  few 
years.  I  think  there  were  times  when  you  and  I 
forgot  that  there  was  anybody  in  the  wide  world 
but  just  our  two  selves." 

A  smile,  a  tender  caress,  a  few  very  lover-like 
words,  and  resuming  his  gravity  and  seriousness, 
Mr.  Dinsmore  went  on:  "  But  you  forget  the 
odious  character  of  the  man.  If  I  had  objected 
to  him  from  mere  prejudice  or  whim,  it  would 
have  been  a  very  different  thing." 

"  But  you  know  Elsie  does  not  believe " 

"She  ought  to  believe  what  her  father  tells 
her,"  he  interrupted  hotly;  "  but  believe  or  not, 
she  must  and  shall  obey  me;  and  if  she  does  not 
I  shall  punish  her." 

"  And  to  do  that,  you  need  only  look  coldly  on 
her,  and  refrain  from  giving  her  caresses  and 
endearing  words.  Such  treatment  from  her 
dearly  loved  father  would  of  itself  be  sufficient, 
very  soon,  to  crush  her  tender,  sensitive  spirit." 

His  face  softened,  the  frown  left  his  brow,  and: 
the  angry  fire  his  eye.  "  My  poor  darling! "  he 
murmured,  with  a  sigh,  his  thoughts  going  back 
to  a  time  of  estrangement  between  them  long 
years  ago.  "Yes,  Eose,  you  are  right;  she  is  a 
very  tender,  delicate,  sensitive  plant,  and  it  be- 
hooves her  father  to  be  exceeding  gentle  and 
forbearing  with  her." 


332  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  Then  you  will  forgive  her,  and  take  her  to 
your  heart  again?" 

"  Yes — if  she  is  penitent; — and  tell  her  that 
she  owes  it  to  her  mother's  intercession;  for  I 
had  intended  to  make  her  feel  herself  in  disgrace 
for  days  or  weeks/' 

Chloe  was  at  that  moment  carrying  a  large  sil- 
ver waiter,  filled  with  delicacies,  into  the  apart- 
ments of  her  young  mistress.  "  Xow,  darlin',  do 
try  to  eat  to  please  your  ole  mammy,"  she  said 
coaxingly,  as  she  set  it  down  before  her.  "  I'se 
taken  lots  ob  pains  to  fix  up  dese  tings  dat  my 
pet  chile  so  fond  ob." 

Elsie's  only  answer  was  a  sad  sort  of  smile; 
but  for  the  sake  of  the  loving  heart  that  had 
prompted  the  careful  preparation  of  the  tempt- 
ing meal — the  loving  eyes  that  watched  her  as 
she  ate,  she  tried  to  do  her  best. 

Only  half  satisfied  with  the  result,  Chloe  bore 
the  waiter  away  again,  while  Elsie  seated  herself 
in  a  large  easy-chair  that  was  drawn  up  close  to 
the  glass  doors  opening  upon  the  lawn  and  laying 
her  head  back  upo!i  its  cushions,  turned  her  eyes 
toward  the  outer  world,  looking  longingly  upon 
the  shaded  alleys  and  g^y  parterres,  the  lawn  with 
its  velvet  carpet  of  emerald  green,  where  a  foun- 
tain cast  up  its  cool  showers  of  spray,  and  long 
shadows  slept,  alternating  with  brilliant  patches 
of  ruddy  light  from  the  slowly  sinking  sun. 

She  sighed  deeply,  and  her  eyes  filled  with  tears. 
"  How  long  should  she  be  forbidden  to  wander 
there  at  her  own  sweet  will?  " 

A  soft,  cool  hand  was  gently  laid  upon  her 
aching  brow,  and  looking  up  she  saw  her  father 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  333 

standing  by  her  side.  She  had  not  heard  his  ap- 
proach, for  his  slippered  feet  made  no  noise  in 
passing  over  the  rich  velvet  carpet. 

His  face  was  grave,  but  no  longer  stern  or  an- 
gry. "  Does  your  head  ache,  daughter?  "  he  asked 
almost  tenderly. 

"  Yes,  papa;  but  not  half  so  badly  as  my  heart 
does,"  she  answered,  a  tear  rolling  quickly  down 
her  cheek.  "  I  am  so  sorry  for  my  disobedience. 
Oh,  papa,  will  you  forgive  me?"  And  her  eyes 
sought  his  with  the  imploring  look  he  ever  found 
it  well-nigh  impossible  to  resist. 

"  Yes,  I  will — I  do,"  he  said,  stooping  to  press 
a  kiss  upon  the  quivering  lips.  "  I  had  thought 
I  ougEt  to  keep  you  in  disgrace  some  time  longer, 
but  your  mamma  has  pleaded  for  you,  and  for  her 
sake — and  for  the  sake  of  a  time,  long  ago,  when 
I  caused  my  little  girl  much  undeserved  suffer- 
ing," he  added,  his  tones  growing  tremulous  with 
emotion,  "  I  forgive  and  receive  you  back  into 
favor  at  once." 

She  threw  her  arm  about  his  neck,  and  as  hfc 
drew  her  to  his  breast,  laid  her  head  down  there, 
weeping  tears  of  joy  and  thankfulness.  "  Dear, 
kind  mamma!  and  you  too,  best  and  dearest  of 
fathers!  I  don't  deserve  it,"  she  sobbed.  "I  am 
afraid  I  ought  to  be  punished  for  such  disobedi- 
ence." 

"I  think  you  have  been,"  he  said  pityingly, 
"the  last  three  days  can  hardly  have  been  very 
happy  ones  to  you." 

"  No,  papa;  very,  very  wretched." 

"  My  poor  child!  Ah,  I  must  take  better  care 
of  my  precious  one  in  future.  I  shall  allow  you 


334  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

to  go  nowhere  without  either  your  motEer  or  my- 
eelf  to  guard  and  protect  you.  Also,  I  shall  break 
off  your  intimacy  with  Lucy  Carrington;  she  is 
henceforth  to  be  to  you  a  mere  speaking  acquaint- 
ance; come,  now  we  will  take  a  little  stroll 
through  the  grounds.  The  cool  air  will,  I  hope, 
do  your  head  good." 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

Twas  the  doubt  that  thou  wert 
That  wrung  my  heart  with  pain  ; 
But  now  I  know  thy  perfidy, 
I  shall  be  well  again. 

—BRYANT. 

ELSIE  submitted  without  a  murmur  to  her 
father's  requirements  and  restrictions;  but 
though  there  was  nothing  else  to  remind  her  that 
she  had  been  for  one  sad  day  in  disgrace  with 
-him — his  manner  toward  her  having  again  all  the 
old  tender  fondness — she  did  not  fully  recover 
her  spirits,  but,  spite  of  her  struggles  to  be  cheer- 
ful and  hopeful,  seemed  often  depressed,  and 
grew  pale  and  thin  day  by  day. 

Her  father  noticed  it  with  deep  concern  and 
anxiety.  "  Something  must  be  done,"  he  said 
one  day  to  his  wife;  "the  child  is  drooping 
strangely,  and  I  fear  will  lose  her  health.  I  must 
try  what  change  will  do  for  her.  What  do  you  say 
to  a  year  in  Europe?  " 

"For  all  of  us?" 

"  Yes,  for  you  and  me  and  our  two  children." 

"  It  might  be  very  pleasant,  and  Elsie  has  never 
been." 

"N"o;  I  have  always  meant  to  take  her,  but 
found  home  so  enjoyable  that  I  have  put  it  off 
from  year  to  year." 

Elsie  entered  the  room  as  he  spoke. 


336  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  Come  here,  daughter,"  he  said,  making  room 
for  her  on  the  sofa  by  his  side.  "I  was  just 
saying  to  mamma  that  I  think  of  taking  you  all 
to  Europe  for  a  year.  How  should  you  like 
that?" 

"  Oh,  very  much,  papa! "  she  answered,  look- 
ing up  brightly;  "  I  should  so  enjoy  seeing  all  the 
places  you  have  told  me  of, — all  the  scenes  of 
your  adventures  when  you  travelled  there  before." 

"  Then  I  think  we  will  go.  Shall  we  not, 
mamma  ?  " 

"  Yes;  but  I  must  pay  a  visit  home  first,  and 
do  some  preparatory  shopping  in  Philadelphia. 
Can  we  go  on  in  time  to  spend  some  weeks  there 
before  sailing?" 

"  You  might,  my  dear;  but  I  shall  have  to  stay 
behind  to  arrange  matters  here;  which  will  take 
some  time,  in  contemplation  of  so  lengthened  an 
absence  from  the  estate." 

"  Then  I  suppose  we  must  have  a  temporary 
separation,"  said  Rose,  in  a  jesting  tone;  "  I  had 
better  take  the  children  and  go  home  at  once,  so 
that  Elsie  and  I  can  be  getting  through  our  shop- 
ping, etc.,  while  you  are  busy  here." 

"  No,  Eose;  you  may  go,  and  take  Horace  with 
you,  if  you  like;  but  Elsie  must  stay  with  me.    I 
cannot  trust  her  even  with  you! " 
'     "  Oh,  papa!  "    And  the  sweet  face  flushed  crim- 
son, the  soft  eyes  filled  with  tears. 

"I  think  you  misunderstand  me,  daughter/' 
he  said  kindly;  "  I  do  not  mean  that  I  fear  you 
would  fail  in  obedience  to  my  commands  or  my 
wishes:  but  that  I  must  keep  you  under  my  pro- 
tection. Besides,  I  cannot  possibly  spare  all  my 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  337 

treasures — wife,  son,  and  daughter — at  once. 
Would  you  wish  to  go  and  leave  me  quite  alone?  " 

"  Oh  no,  no,  indeed,  you  dear,  dearest  father!  " 
she  cried,  putting  her  arm  round  his  neck,  and 
gazing  in  his  face  with  eyes  beaming  with  joy  and 
love. 

"  Yours  is  the  better  plan,  I  believe,  my  dear," 
said  Eose.  "  I  would  rather  not  have  you  left 
alone,  and  I  think  I  could  do  what  is  necessary 
for  Elsie,  in  the  way  of  shopping  and  ordering 
dresses  made,  if  she  likes  to  trust  me." 

So  it  was  arranged;  three  days  after  this  con- 
versation Mrs.  Dinsmore  left  for  Philadelphia, 
taking  little  Horace  with  her,  and  a  fortnight 
later  Mr.  Dinsmore  followed  with  Elsie. 

Dearly  as  the  young  girl  loved  Eose  and  her 
little  brother,  it  had  yet  been  an  intense  pleasure 
to  her  to  have  her  father  all  to  herself,  and  be 
everything  to  him  for  those  two  weeks;  and 
she  was  almost  sorry  to  have  them  come  to  an 
end. 

It  was  late  at  night  when  they  reached  the 
City  of  Brotherly  Love.  Mr.  Allison's  residence 
was  several  miles  distant  from  the  depot,  but  his 
carriage  was  there  in  waiting  for  them. 

"  Are  the  family  all  well,  Davis?  "  inquired  Mr. 
Dinsmore,  addressing  the  coachman,  as  he  placed 
Elsie  in  the  vehicle. 

"All  well,  sir;  Mrs.  Dinsmore  and  the  little 
boy  too." 

"  Ah,  I  am  thankful  for  that.  You  may  drive 
on  at  once.  My  man  John  will  call  a  hack  and 
follow  us  with  Aunt  Chloe  and  the  bf  ggage." 

"  Did  you  give  John  the  checks,  papa-?  "  asked 


838  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

Elsie,  as  he  took  his  seat  by  her  side,  and  Davis 
shut  the  carriage  door. 

"  Yes.  How  weary  you  look,  my  poor  child! 
There,  lean  on  me,"  and  he  put  his  arm  about 
her  and  made  her  lay  her  head  on  his  shoulder. 

They  drove  on  rapidly,  passing  through  several 
comparatively  silent  and  deserted  streets,  then 
suddenly  the  horses  slackened  their  pace,  a  bright 
light  shone  in  at  the  carriage  window  and  the 
hum  of  many  voices  and  sound  of  many  feet  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  the  travellers. 

Elsie  started  and  raised  her  head,  asking, 
"What  is  it,  papa?" 

"  We  are  passing  a  theatre,  and  it  seems  the 
play  is  just  over,  judging  by  the  crowds  that  are 
pouring  from  its  doors." 

Davis  reined  in  his  horses  to  avoid  running 
over  those  who  were  crossing  the  street,  and 
Elsie,  glancing  from  the  window,  caught  sight 
of  a  face  she  knew  only  too  well.  Its  owner  was 
in  the  act  of  stepping  from  the  door  of  the  thea- 
tre, and  staggered  as  he  did  so — would  have 
fallen  to  the  ground  had  he  not  been  held  up  by 
his  companion,  a  gaudily  dressed,  brazen-faced 
woman,  whose  character  there  was  no  mistak- 
ing. 

"  Ha,  ha,  Tom! "  she  cried,  with  a  loud  and 
boisterous  laugh,  "  I  saved  you  from  a  downfall 
that  time;  which  I'll  be  bound  is  more  than  that 
Southern  heiress  of  yours  would  have  done." 

"  Now  don't  be  throwing  her  up  to  me  again, 
Bet,"  he  answered  thickly,  reeling  along  so  close 
to  our  travellers  that  they  caught  the  scent  of 
his  breath;  "I  tell  you  again  she  can't  hold  a 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  So. 

candle  to  you,  and  I  never  cared  for  her;  it  was 
the  money  I  was  after." 

Mr.  Dinsmore  saw  a  deadly  pallor  suddenly 
overspread  his  daughter's  face;  for  a  single  in- 
stant her  eyes  sought  his  with  an  expression  of 
mute  despairing  agony  that  wrung  his  heart; 
then  all  was  darkness  as  again  the  carriage  rolled 
rapidly  onward. 

"  My  poor,  poor  darling!  "  he  murmured,  draw- 
ing her  close  to  him  and  folding  his  arms  about 
her  as  if  he  would  shield  her  from  every  danger 
and  evil,  while  hers  crept  around  his  neck  and 
her  head  dropped  upon  his  breast. 

The  carriage  rattled  on  over  the  rough  stones. 
Elsie  clung  with  death-like  grasp  to  her  father, 
shudder  after  shudder  shaking  her  whole  frame, 
in  utter  silence  at  first,  but  at  length,  as  they 
came  upon  a  smoother  road  and  moved  with  less 
noise  and  jolting,  "  Papa,"  she  whispered,  "  oh, 
what  a  fearful,  fearful  fate  you  have  saved  me 
from!  Thank  God  for  a  father's  protecting  love 
and  care! " 

"  Thank  Him  that  I  have  my  darling  safe." 
he  responded  in  a  deeply  moved  tone,  and  caress- 
ing her  with  exceeding  tenderness. 

In  another  moment  they  had  stopped  before 
Mr.  Allison's  door,  which  was  thrown  wide  open 
almost  on  the  instant;  for  Rose  and  Edward  were 
up,  waiting  and  listening  for  their  coming. 

"  Come  at  last!  glad  to  see  you!  "  cried  the  lat- 
ter, springing  down  the  steps  to  greet  his  brother- 
in-law  as  he  alighted.  Then,  as  Mr.  Dinsmore 
turned,  lifted  his  daughter  from  the  carriage, 
and  half  carried  her  into  the  house,  "  But  what's 


uAO  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

the  matter?  Elsie  ill?  hurt?  have  you  had  an  ac- 
cident?" 

Eose  stood  waiting  in  the  hall.  "My  dear 
husband!  "  she  exclaimed  in  a  tone  of  mingled 
affection,  surprise,  and  alarm.  "What  is  it? 
what  is  wrong  with  our  darling?  Come  this 
way,  into  the  sitting-room,  and  lay  her  on  the 
sofa." 

"She  has  received  a  heavy  blow,  Eose,  but  I 
think — I  hope  it  will  turn  out  for  her  good  in 
the  end,"  he  said  low  and  tremulously,  as  he  laid 
her  down. 

She  seemed  in  a  half-fainting  condition,  and 
Edward  rushed  away  in  search  of  restoratives. 

Eose  asked  no  more  questions  at  the  time,  nor 
did  her  husband  give  any  further  information, 
but  in  silence,  broken  only  now  and  then  by  a 
subdued  whisper,  they  both  devoted  their  energies 
to  Elsie's  restoration. 

"  Shall  I  go  for  a  doctor?  "  asked  Edward. 

"  No,  thank  you.  I  think  she  will  be  better 
presently,"  answered  Mr.  Dinsmore. 

"  I  am  better  now,"  murmured  Elsie  feebly. 
"  Papa,  if  you  will  help  me  up  to  bed,  I  shall  do 
very  well." 

"  Can't  you  eat  something  first?  "  asked  Eose, 
"  I  have  a  nice  little  supper  set  out  in  the  next 
room  for  papa  and  you." 

Elsie  shook  her  head,  and  sighed,  'I  don't 
think  I  could,  mamma;  I  am  not  at  all  hungry." 

"I  want  you  to  try,  though,"  said  her  father; 
"  it  is  some  hours  now  since  you  tasted  food,  and 
I  think  you  need  it,"  and  lifting  her  tenderly  in 
his  arms  lie  carried  her  into  the  supper-room, 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  341 

where  he  seated  her  at  the  table  in  an  easy-chair 
which  Edward  hastily  wheeled  up  for  her  use. 

To  please  her  father  she  made  a  determined 
effort,  and  succeeded  in  swallowing  a  few  mouth- 
fuls.  After  that  he  helped  her  to  her  room  and 
left  her  in  the  care  of  Kose  and  Chloe. 

Having  seen  with  her  own  eyes,  and  heard 
with  her  own  ears,  Elsie  could  no  longer  doubt 
the  utter  unworthiness  of  Egerton,  or  his  identity 
with  Tom  Jackson;  of  whose  vices  and  crimes 
she  had  heard  from  both  her  father  and  Walter, 
with  whom  she  still  kept  up  a  correspondence. 
She  loved  him  no  longer;  nay,  she  had  never  loved 
him;  her  affection  had  been  bestowed  upon  the 
man  she  believed  him  to  be,  not  the  man  that  he 
was.  But  now  the  scales  had  fallen  from  her 
eyes,  she  saw  him  in  all  his  hideous  moral  de- 
formity, and  shrank  with  horror  and  loathing 
from  the  recollection  that  his  arm  had  once  en- 
circled her  waist,  his  lip  touched  her  cheek.  She 
could  now  appreciate  her  father's  feelings  of  an- 
ger and  indignation  on  learning  that  she  had  per- 
mitted such  liberties,  and  felt  more  deeply  hum- 
bled and  penitent  on  account  of  it  than  ever  be- 
fore. 

She  slept  little  that  night,  and  did  not  leave 
her  room  for  several  days.  The  sudden  shock  had 
quite  unnerved  her;  but  the  cause  of  her  illness 
remained  a  secret  between  herself  and  her  par- 
ents, who  watched  over  her  with  the  tenderest 
solicitude,  and  spared  no  effort  to  cheer  and  com- 
fort her.  She  seemed  at  this  time  to  shrink  from 
all  companionship  but  theirs,  although  she  and 
her  mamma's  younger  brothers  and  sisters  had 


342  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

always  entertained  a  warm  friendship  for  each' 
other. 

On  the  fourth  day  after  their  arrival  her  father 
took  her  out  for  a  drive,  and  returning  left  her 
resting  on  the  sofa  in  her  dressing-room,  while  he 
and  Rose  went  for  a  short  walk. 

The  door-bell  rang,  and  presently  Chloe  came 
up  with  a  very  smiling  face  to  ask  if  "  Marse  Wal- 
ter "  might  come  in. 

"  Walter  ?  "  cried  Elsie,  starting  up.  "  Yes,  in- 
deed! " 

She  had  scarcely  spoken  the  words  before  he 
was  there  beside  her,  shaking  hands,  and  kissing 
her,  saying  with  a  gay  boyish  laugh,  "  I  suppose 
your  uncle  has  a  right?  " 

"  Yes,  certainly;  though  I  don't  know  when 
he  ever  claimed  it  before.  But  oh,  how  glad  I 
am  to  see  you!  and  how  you've  grown  and  im- 
proved. Sit  down,  do.  There's  an  easy-chair. 

"  Excuse  my  not  getting  up;  papa  bade  me  lie 
and  rest  for  an  hour." 

"  Thanks,  yes;  and  I  know  you  always  obey  or- 
ders. And  so  you're  on  the  sick  list?  what's  the 
matter?" 

An  expression  of  pain  crossed  her  features  and 
the  color  faded  from  her  cheek.  "  I  have  been 
ailing  a  little,"  she  said,  "but  am  better  now. 
How  is  Arthur?  " 

"  H'm!  well  enough  physically,  but — in  hor- 
rible disgrace  with  papa.  You've  no  idea,  Elsie, 
to  what  an  extent  that  Tom  Jackson  has  fleeced 
him.  He's  over  head  and  ears  in  debt,  and  my 
father's  furious.  He  has  put  the  whole  matter 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  343 

into  Horace's  hands  for  settlement.  Did  he  tell 
you  about  it?  " 

"  No,  he  only  said  he  expected  to  go  to  Prince- 
ton to-morrow  to  attend  to  some  business.  He 
would  have  gone  sooner,  but  didn't  like  to  leave 
me." 

"  Careful  of  you  as  ever!  that's  right.  I  say, 
Elsie,  I  think  Horace  has  very  sensible  ideas  about 
matters  and  things.'' 

"  Do  you?  I  own  I  think  so  myself,"  she  an- 
swered with  a  quiet  smile. 

"Yes;  you  see  Arthur  is  in  debt  some  thou- 
sands, a  good  share  of  it  what  they  call  debts  of 
honor.  Papa  had  some  doubt  as  to  whether  they 
ought  to  be  paid,  and  asked  Horace  what  was 
his  opinion.  Adelaide  wrote  me  the  whole  story, 
you  see.  Here,  I'll  give  it  to  you  in  his  exact 
words,  as  she  reports  them,"  he  added,  taking  a 
letter  from  his  pocket  and  reading  aloud, 
"'  Father,  don't  think  of  such  a  thing!  Why, 
surely  it  would  be  encouraging  gambling,  which 
is  a  ruinous  vice;  and  paying  a  man  for  robbing 
and  cheating.  I  would,  if  necessary,  part  with 
the  last  cent  to  pay  an  honest  debt;  but  a  so-called 
debt  of  honor  (of  dishonor  would  be  more  cor- 
rect) I  would  not  pay  if  I  had  more  money  than 
I  could  find  other  uses  for.'  And  I  think  he  was 
right.  Don't  you?  "  concluded  Walter. 

"  I  think  papa  is  always  right." 

"  Yes?  Well,  I  was  afraid  you  didn't  think  he 
was  in  regard  to  that — fellow  you  met  out  in 
Lansdale;  I've  been  wanting  to  see  you  to  tell 
you  what  I  know  «f  the  scoundrelism  of  Tom 


344  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD 

Jackson,  and  the  proof  that  they  are  one  and  the 
same." 

"Yes,  I  know,  I — I  believe  it  now,  Walter,  and 
— But  don't  let  us  speak  of  it  again,"  she  faltered, 
turning  deathly  pale  and  almost  gasping  for 
breath. 

"  I  won't;  I  didn't  know  you'd  mind;  I — I'm 
very  sorry,"  he  stammered,  looking  anxious,  and 
vexed  with  himself. 

"  Never  mind;  I  shall  soon  learn  not  to  care. 
Now  tell  me  about  Arthur.  Will  he  stay  and 
finish  his  course?" 

"No;  papa  says  his  patience  is  worn  out,  and 
his  purse  can  stand  no  more  such  drains  as  Ar- 
thur has  put  upon  it  two  or  three  times  already. 
So  he  is  to  leave  and  go  home  ,as  soon  as  Horace 
has  settled  up  his  affairs." 

"And  you?" 

"I  hope  to  go  on  and  to  graduate  in  another 
year." 

"  Oh,  Wai,  I'm  so  glad!  so  thankful  you  have'nt 
followed  in  poor  Arthur's  footsteps." 

"  He  wouldn't  let  me,  Elsie;  he  actually 
wouldn't.  I  know  I'm  lacking  in  self-reliance 
and  firmness,  and  if  Art  had  chosen  to  lead  me 
wrong,  I'm  afraid  he'd  have  succeeded.  But  he 
says,  poor  fellow!  that  it's  enough  for  one  to  be 
a  disgrace  to  the  family,  and  has  tried  to  keep  me 
out  of  temptation.  And  you  can't  think  how 
much  my  correspondence  with  you  has  helped  to 
keep  me  straight.  Your  letters  always  did  me  so 
much  good." 

<f  Oh,  thank  you  for  telling  me  that!  "  she  cried, 
with  bright,  glad  tears  glistening  in  her  eyes. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  345 

"No,  'tis  I  that  owe  thanks  to  you,"  he  said, 
looking  down  meditatively  at  the  carpet  and 
twirling  his  watch-key  between  his  finger  and 
thumb. 

"  Poor  Art !  this  ought  to  have  been  his  last 
year,  and  doubtless  would  if  he  had  only  kept  out 
of  bad  company." 

"  Ah,  Wai,  I  hope  that  you  will  never  forget 
that  '  evil  communications  corrupt  good  man- 
ners.' " 

"  I  hope  not,  Elsie.  I  wish  you  could  stay  and 
attend  our  commencement.  What  do  you  say? 
Can't  you?  It  comes  off  in  about  a  fortnight." 

"  No,  Wai.  I'm  longing  to  get  away,  and  papa 
has  engaged  our  passage  in  the  next  steamer. 
But  perhaps  we  may  return  in  time  to  see  you 
graduate  next  year." 

"  What,  in  such  haste  to  leave  America!  I'm 
afraid  you're  losing  your  patriotism,"  he  said 
playfully. 

"  Ah,  it  is  no  want  of  love  for  my  dear  native 
land  that  makes  me  impatient  to  be  gone! "  she 
answered  half  sadly. 

"  And  are  you  really  to  be  gone  a  year?  " 

"  So  papa  intends,  but  of  course  everything  in 
this  world  is  uncertain." 

"  I  shall  look  anxiously  for  my  European  let- 
ters, and  expect  them  to  be  very  interesting." 

"  I'll  do  my  best,  Wai,"  she  said  languidly,  "  but 
I  don't  feel,  just  now,  as  if  I  could  ever  write  any- 
thing worth  reading." 

"  I  think  I  never  saw  you  so  blue,"  he  said  in 
a  lively,  jesting  tone.  "  I  must  tell  you  of  the 
fun  we  fellows  have,  and  if  it  doesn't  make  you 


346  ELSIE '8  GIRLHOOD. 

wish  yourself  one  of  us — Well,"  and  he  launched 
out  into  an  animated  description  of  various  prac- 
tical jokes  played  off  by  the  students  upon  their 
professors  or  on  each  other. 

He  succeeded  at  length  in  coaxing  some  of  the 
old  brightness  into  the  sweet  face,  and  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Dinsmore,  mounting  the  stairs  on  their  re- 
turn from  their  walk,  exchanged  glances  of  de- 
lighted surprise  at  the  sound  of  a  silvery  laugh 
which  had  not  greeted  their  ears  for  days. 

Walter  received  a  hearty  welcome  from  both. 
His  visit,  though  necessarily  short,  was  of  real 
service  to  Elsie,  doing  much  to  rouse  her  out  of 
herself  and  her  grief;  thus  beginning  the  cure 
which  time  and  change  of  scene — dulling  the  keen 
edge  of  sorrow  and  disappointment,  and  giving 
pleasant  occupation  to  her  thoughts — would  at 
length  carry  on  to  completion. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

**  The  shaken  tree  grows  firmer  at  the  roots  ; 
So  love  grows  firmer  for  some  blasts  of  doubt." 

IT  was  two  years  or  more  since  the  Oaks  had 
Suffered  the  temporary  loss  of  its  master  and  mis- 
tress, yet  they  had  not  returned;  they  still  lin- 
gered on  foreign  shores,  and  Mrs.  Murray,  who 
had  been  left  at  the  head  of  household  affairs, 
looked  in  vain  for  news  of  their  home-coming. 

She  now  and  then  received  a  short  business  let- 
ter from  Mr.  Dinsmore  or  of  directions  from 
Rose;  or  a  longer  one  from  the  latter  or  Elsie,  giv- 
ing entertaining  bits  of  travel,  etc.;  and  occa- 
sionally Adelaide  would  ride  over  from  Rose- 
lands  and  delight  the  old  housekeeper's  heart  by 
reading  aloud  a  lively  gossipy  epistle  one  or  the 
other  had  addressed  to  her. 

How  charmed  and  interested  were  both  reader 
and  listener;  especially  when  they  came  upon  one 
of  Rose's  graphic  accounts  of  their  presentation 
at  court — in  London,  Paris,  Vienna,  or  St.  Peters- 
burg— wherein  she  gave  a  minute  description  of 
Elsie's  dress  and  appearance,  and  dwelt  with 
motherly  pride  and  delight  upon  the  admiration 
everywhere  accorded  to  the  beauty  and  sweetness 
of  the  lovely  American  heiress. 

It  was  a  great  gratification  to  Adelaide's  pride 
in  her  niece  to  learn  that  more  than  one  coronet 
had  been  laid  at  her  feet;  yet  she  was  not  sorry  to 


348  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

hear  that  they  had  been  rejected  with  the  gentle 
firmness  which  she  knew  Elsie  was  capable  of 
exercising. 

"  But  what  more  could  the  bairn  or  her  father 
desire?  would  he  keep  the  sweet  lassie  single  a' 
her  days,  Miss  Dinsmore?"  asked  Mrs.  Murray 
when  Adelaide  told  her  this. 

"  No,"  was  the  smiling  rejoinder;  "  I  know  he 
would  be  very  loath  to  resign  her;  but  this  is 
Elsie's  own  doing.  She  says  the  man  for  whom 
she  would  be  willing  to  give  up  her  native  land 
must  be  very  dear  indeed,  that  her  hand  shall 
never  be  given  without  her  heart,  and  that  it  still 
belongs  more  to  her  father  than  to  any  one  else." 

"  Ah,  that  is  well,  Miss  Adelaide.  I  hae  been 
sorely  troubled  aboot  my  sweet  bairn.  I  never 
breathed  the  thoct  to  ither  mortal  ear,  but  when 
they  cam  hame  frae  that  summer  in  the  North, 
she  was  na  the  blythe  young  thing  she  had  been; 
and  there  was  that  in  the  wistfu'  and  hungered 
look  o'  her  sweet  een — when  she  turned  them 
whiles  upon  her  father — that  made  me  think 
some  ane  he  didna  approve  had  won  the  innocent 
young  heart." 

"Ah,  well,  Mrs.  Murray,  whatever  may  have 
been  amiss  then,  is  all  over  now.  My  sister  writes 
me  that  Elsie  seems  very  happy,  and  as  devotedly 
attached  to  her  father  as  ever,  insisting  that  no 
one  ever  can  be  so  dear  to  her  as  he." 

Mrs.  Dinsmore's  last  letter  was  dated  Naples, 
and  there  they  still  lingered. 

One  bright  spring  day  they  were  out  sight- 
seeing, and  had  wandered  into  a  picture-gallery 
which  they  had  visited  once  or  twice  before. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  349 

Rose  had  her  husband's  arm.  Elsie  held  her  lit- 
tle brother's  hand  in  hers. 

"  Sister,"  said  the  child,  "  look  at  those  ladies 
and  gentlemen.  They  are  English,  aren't 
they?" 

"  Yes;  I  think  so,"  Elsie  answered,  f ollowiag 
the  direction  of  his  glance;  "  a  party  of  English 
tourists.  No,  one  of  the  gentlemen  looks  like 
an  American." 

"  That  one  nearest  this  way?  I  can  only  see  his 
side  face,  but  I  think  he  is  the  handsomest. 
Don't  you?" 

"Yes;  and  he  has  a  fine  form  too,  an  easy, 
graceful  carriage,  and  polished  manners,"  she 
added,  as  at  that  moment  he  stooped  to  pick  up 
a  handkerchief,  dropped  by  one  of  the  ladies  of 
his  party,  and  presented  it  to  its  owner. 

Elsie  was  partial  to  her  own  countrymen,  and 
unaccountably  to  herself,  felt  an  unusual  interest 
in  this  one.  She  watched  him  furtively,  wonder- 
ing who  he  was,  and  thinking  that  in  appearance 
and  manners  he  compared  very  favorably  with 
the  counts,  lords,  and  dukes  who  in  the  past  two 
years  had  so  frequently  hovered  about  her,  and 
hung  upon  her  smiles. 

But  her  father  called  her  attention  to  some- 
thing in  the  painting  he  and  Rose  were  examin- 
ing, and  when  she  turned  to  look  again  for  the 
stranger  and  his  companions,  she  perceived  that 
they  were  gone. 

"  Papa,"  she  asked,  "  did  you  notice  that  party 
of  tourists?" 

"Not  particularly.     What  about  them?" 

"  I  am  quite  certain  one  of  the  gentlemen  was 


350  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.^ 

an  American;  and  I  half  fancied  there  was  some- 
thing familiar  in  his  air  and  manner." 

"  Ah!  I  wish  you  had  spoken  of  it  while  he  was 
here,  that  I  might  have  made  sure  whether  he 
were  an  old  acquaintance.  But  come,"  he  added, 
taking  out  his  watch,  "  it  is  time  for  us  to  return 
home." 

The  Dinsmores  were  occupying  an  old  palace, 
the  property  of  a  noble  family  whose  decayed  for- 
tunes compelled  the  renting  of  their  ancestral 
home.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  day  of  their  visit 
to  the  picture-gallery  Mr.  Dinsmore  and  b. 
daughter  were  seated  in  its  spacious  saloon,  she 
beside  a  window  overlooking  the  street,  he  at  a 
little  distance  from  her,  and  near  to  a  table  cov- 
ered with  books,  magazines,  and  newspapers. 
That  day  had  brought  him  a  heavy  mail  from 
America,  and  he  was  examining  the  New  York 
and  Philadelphia  dailies  with  keen  interest. 

Elsie  was  evidently  paying  no  heed  to  what 
might  be  passing  in  the  street.  A  bit  of  fancy 
work  gave  employment  to  her  fingers,  while  her 
thoughts  were  busy  with  the  contents  of  a  letter 
received  from  her  Aunt  Adelaide  that  morning. 

It  brought  ill  news.  Arthur  had  been  seri- 
ously injured  by  a  railroad  accident  and,  it  was 
feared,  was  crippled  for  life.  But  that  was  not 
all.  Dick  Percival — whom  Enna  had  married 
nearly  two  years  before — had  now  become  utterly 
bankrupt,  having  wasted  his  patrimony  in  rioting 
and  drunkenness,  losing  large  sums  at  the  gam- 
ing-table; and  his  young  wife,  left  homeless  and 
destitute,  had  been  compelled  to  return  to  her 
father's  house  with  her  infant  son. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  351 

Mr.  Dinsmore  uttered  a  slight  exclamation. 

"What  is  it,  papa?"  asked  Elsie,  lifting  her 
eyes  to  meet  his  fixed  upon  her  with  an  expres- 
sion of  mingled  gratitude  and  tenderness. 

"  Come  here,"  he  said,  and  as  she  obeyed  he 
drew  her  to  his  knee,  passing  his  arm  ahout  her 
waist,  and,  holding  the  paper  before  her,  pointed 
to  a  short  paragraph  which  had  just  caught  his 
eye. 

She  read  it  at  a  glance;  her  face  flushed,  then 
paled;  she  put  her  arm  about  his  neck,  and  laid 
her  cheek  to  his,  while  tears  trembled  in  the 
sweet  eyes,  as  soft  and  beautiful  as  ever. 

For  a  moment  neither  spoke;  then  she  mur- 
mured in  low,  quivering  tones  the  same  words 
that  had  fallen  from  her  lips  two  years  ago, — 
"  Thank  God  for  a  father's  protecting  love  and 
care!  " 

"  Thank  Him  that  I  have  my  daughter  safe  in 
my  arms,"  he  said,  tightening  his  clasp  about  her 
slender  waist.  "  Ah,  my  own  precious  child,  how 
could  I  ever  have  borne  to  see  you  sacrificed  to- 
that  wretch!  " 

They  had  just  learned  that  Tom  Jackson  had 
been  tried  for  manslaughter  and  for  forgery, 
found  guilty  on  both  charges,  and  sentenced  to 
the  State's  Prison  for  a  long  term  of  years. 

They  were  quiet  again  for  a  little;  then  Elsie 
said,  "  Papa,  I  want  to  ask  you  something." 

"  Well,  daughter,  say  on." 

"  I  have  been  thinking  how  sad  it  must  be  for 
poor  Enna  to  find  herself  so  destitute,  and  that  I 
should  like  to  settle  something  upon  her — say  tea 
or  twenty  thousand  dollars,  if  I  may " 


352  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

"  My  dear  child,"  he  said  with  a  smile,  "  I  have 
no  control  over  you  now  as  regards  the  disposal 
of  your  property.  Do  you  forget  that  you  passed 
your  majority  three  weeks  ago?  " 

"No,  papa,  I  have  not  forgotten;  but  I  don't 
mean  ever  to  do  anything  of  importance  without 
your  approval.  So  please  make  up  your  mind 
that  I'm  always  to  he  your  own  little  girl;  never 
more  than  eighteen  or  twenty  to  you.  Now 
won't  you  answer  my  question  about  Enna?  " 

"  I  think  it  would  be  quite  as  well,  or  better,  to 
defer  any  such  action  for  the  present.  It  won't 
hurt  Enna  to  be  made  to  feel  poor  and  dependent 
for  a  time;  she  needs  the  lesson;  and  her  parents 
will  not  allow  her  to  suffer  privation  of  any  sort. 
Ah,  here  comes  mamma  in  walking  attire.  We 
are  going  out  for  perhaps  an  hour;  leaving  house, 
servants,  and  the  little  ones  in  your  charge.  Hor- 
ace, be  careful  to  do  just  as  your  sister  tells  you." 

"  Yes,  papa,  I  will,"  answered  the  child,  who 
had  come  in  with  his  mother,  and  had  a  book  in 
his  hand.  "Will  you  help  me  with  my  lesson, 
Elsie,  and  hear  me  say  it  when  it  is  learned?  " 

"  Yes,  that  I  will.  Here's  a  stool  for  you  close 
by  my  side,"  she  said,  going  back  to  her  seat  by 
the  window. 

"  Good-bye,  dears,  we  won't  be  gone  long."  said 
Rose,  taking  her  husband's  arm. 

Elsie  and  Horace  watched  them  till  they  had 
passed  out  of  sight  far  down  the  street,  then 
returned  to  their  employments;  her  thoughts  now 
going  back,  not  to  Eoselands,  but  to  Lansdale, 
Ashlands,  and  Philadelphia;  memory  and  imagi- 
nation bringing  vividly  before  her  each  scene  of 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  353 

her  past  life  in  which  Egerton  had  borne  a  part. 
Did  any  of  the  old  love  come  back?  No,  for  he 
was  not  the  man  who  had  won  her  esteem  and 
affection;  and  even  while  sending  up  a  silent  peti- 
tion for  his  final  conversion,  she  shuddered  at  the 
thought  of  her  past  danger,  and  was  filled  with 
gratitude  to  God  and  her  father  at  the  remem- 
brance of  her  narrow  escape. 

Her  brother's  voice  recalled  her  from  her  mus- 
ings. "  Look,  sister/'  he  exclaimed,  glancing 
from  the  window,  "  there  is  the  very  same  gentle- 
man we  saw  this  morning!  and  see,  he's  crossing 
the  street!  I  do  believe  he's  coming  here." 

Elsie  looked,  recognized  the  stranger,  and 
perceived,  with  a  slight  emotion  of  surprise  and 
pleasure,  that  he  was  approaching  their  door. 
That  he  was  her  countryman,  and  perhaps  direct 
from  her  dear  native  land,  was  sufficient  to  make 
him  a  welcome  visitor. 

The  next  moment  John  threw  open  the  door  of 
the  saloon  and  announced,  "A  gentleman  from 
America!  " 

"  One  who  brings  no  letter  of  introduction;  yet 
hopes  for  an  audience  of  you,  fair  lady,"  he  said, 
coming  forward  with  smiling  countenance  and 
outstretched  hand. 

"Mr.  Travilla!  can  it  be  possible!"  she  cried, 
starting  up  in  joyful  astonishment,  and  hastening 
to  bid  him  welcome. 

"  You  are  not  sorry  to  see  me  then,  my  little 
friend?"  he  said,  taking  her  offered  hand  and 
pressing  it  in  both  of  his. 

"  Sorry,  my  dear  sir!  what  a  question!  Were 
you  not  always  a  most  welcome  guest  in  mj 


354  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD 

father's  house?  and  if  welcome  at  home,  ho^f 
much  more  so  here  in  a  foreign  land." 

Mr.  Travilla  looked  into  the  sweet  face,  more 
beautiful  than  ever,  and  longed  to  treat  her  with 
the  affectionate  freedom  of  former  days,  yet  re- 
frained; the  gentle  dignity  of  her  manner  seem- 
ing to  forhid  it,  pleased  and  cordial  as  was  her 
greeting. 

He  turned  to  Horace  and  shook  hands  with 
him,  remarking  that  he  had  grown  very  much. 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you,  sir,"  said  the  boy. 

"  You  have  not  forgotten  me  then?  " 

"  Ah,  no,  indeed;  and  I  can't  think  how  it  was 
that  sister  and  I  did  not  know  you  yesterday  in 
the  picture-gallery;  though  we  knew  you  were  an 
American! " 

"  Ah,  were  you  there?  How  blind  I  must  have 
been!  "  and  he  turned  to  Elsie  again. 

"  "We  were  there  for  but  a  few  minutes  before 
your  party  left;  and  quite  at  the  other  end  of  that 
long  gallery,"  she  said.  "  But  I  am  surprised 
that  I  failed  to  recognize  you,  even  at  that 
distance.  But  I  had  no  thought  of  your  being  in 
the  country.  How  delighted  papa  will  be  to  see 
you.  He  has  often  spoken  of  the  old  times  when 
you  and  he  travelled  over  Europe  together,  and 
wished  that  you  were  with  him  on  this  trip.  He 
and  mamma  have  gone  out,  but  will  be  in  pres- 
ently." 

Elsie  had  many  inquiries  to  make  in  regard  to 
the  health  and  welfare  of  relatives  and  friends, 
and  the  old  family  servants  at  the  Oaks;  Mr.  Tra- 
villa numerous  questions  to  ask  concerning  all 
that  she  had  seen  and  done  since  leaving  America. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  355 

But  in  the  midst  of  it  all  she  exclaimed,  "  Ah, 
you  must  see  our  little  Frenchwoman!  such  a  dar- 
ling as  she  is! " 

"  I'll  ring  the  bell,  sister,"  said  Horace,  seeing 
her  glance  toward  it. 

John  appeared  in  answer,  was  ordered  to  tell 
the  nurse  to  bring  the  baby,  and  a  neatly  dressed 
middle-aged  woman  presently  entered  the  room, 
carrying  a  lovely  infant  a  little  more  than  a  year 
old. 

"  See,  is  she  not  a  darling?  "  said  Elsie,  taking 
it  in  her  arms.  "  She  has  mamma's  own  sweet 
pretty  blue  eyes,  and  is  named  for  her.  Our 
Rosebud  we  call  her.  Papa  gave  her  the  name, 
and  he  says  she  is  as  much  like  her  mother  as  I 
am  like  mine.  You  don't  know,  Mr.  Travilla, 
how  glad  I  was  when  she  came  to  us;  it  was  some- 
thing so  new  and  delightful  to  have  a  sister  of 
my  own.  Ah,  I  love  her  dearly,  and  she  returns 
my  affection.  There,  see  her  lay  her  little  head 
down  on  my  shoulder." 

Mr.  Travilla  admired  and  caressed  the  little 
creature,  coaxed  her  to  come  to  him  for  a  mo- 
ment, and  the  nurse  carried  her  away. 

"  When  do  you  return  home,  Elsie  ? "  he 
asked. 

"In  the  fall.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ferris,  mamma's 
grandparents,  have  their  golden  wedding  in  Octo- 
ber. Sophy  expects  to  be  married  at  the  same 
time,  and  of  course  we  wish  to  be  present  on  the 
occasion.  We  have  yet  to  visit  Turin,  Venice, 
and  Munich.  After  seeing  these  places  we  in- 
tend to  spend  the  rest  of  the  summer  in  Switzer- 
land, sailing  for  America  some  time  in  September. 


356  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

Ah,  here  are  papa  and  mamma ! "  she  added  as 
the  two  entered  the  room  together. 

"Tra villa!  what  favorable  wind  blew  you 
here?"  cried  Mr.  Dinsmore,  shaking  his  friend's 
hand  in  almost  boyish  delight. 

"  A  westerly  one,  I  believe,"  answered  Travilla, 
laughing  and  shaking  hands  with  Eose,  who 
looked  scarcely  less  pleased  than  her  husband. 
"  They  think  at  Eoselands  and  the  Oaks  that  your 
year  is  a  very  long  one,  or  that  you  have  lost  your 
reckoning,  and  were  anxious  to  send  a  messenger 
to  assist  you  in  recovering  it;  so  I  volunteered  my 
services." 

"  Ah,  that  was  kind!  but  to  be  able  to  do  so  to 
advantage  you  will  need  to  take  up  your  abode 
with  us  for  the  present,  and  to  make  one  of  our 
party  when  we  start  again  upon  our  travels." 

"  Of  course  you  will,"  added  Eose;  "  we  always 
consider  you  one  of  the  family;  a  sort  of  brother 
to  us  and  uncle  to  the  children." 

"  Thank  you,  you  are  most  kind,"  he  said,  a 
slight  flush  suffusing  his  cheek  for  an  instant, 
while  his  eyes  involuntarily  sought  Elsie's  face 
with  a  wistful,  longing  look. 

Her  father  turned  laughingly  to  her.  "  Is  this 
your  stranger  of  the  picture-gallery?  ah,  are  you 
not  ashamed  of  failing  to  recognize  so  old  a 
friend?  " 

"Yes,  papa,  but  I  did  not  catch  sight  of  his 
full  face,  and  he  was  at  quite  a  distance,  and  I 
never  thinking  of  the  possibility  that  he  could  be 
anywhere  out  of  America." 

"And  time  makes  changes  in  us  all — is  fast 
turning  me  into  a  quiet  middle-aged  man." 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  357 

"  You  are  very  kind  to  furnish  another  excuse 
for  my  stupidity/'  said  Elsie,  smiling,  "  but  I 
really  cannot  see  that  you  have  changed  in  the 
least  since  I  saw  you  last." 

"And  no  stranger  would  ever  think  of  pro- 
nouncing you  over  thirty,"  added  Kose. 

"  Ah,  you  flatter  me,  fair  ladies,"  returned  Mr. 
Travilla,  smiling  and  shaking  his  head. 

"No,  I  can  vouch  for  the  truthfulness  and 
honesty  of  both,"  said  Mr.  Dinsmore. 

Mr.  Travilla  did  not  hesitate  to  accept  his 
friend's  invitation,  knowing  that  it  was  honestly 
given,  and  feeling  that  he  could  not  decline  it 
without  doing  violence  to  his  own  inclination. 
He  made  one  of  their  party  during  the  rest  of 
their  stay  in  Europe  and  on  the  voyage  to 
America. 

His  presence  was  most  welcome  to  all;  he  saw 
no  reason  to  doubt  that,  and  yet  Elsie's  manner 
sometimes  saddened  and  depressed  him.  Not 
that  there  was  ever  in  it  anything  approaching  to 
coolness,  but  it  lacked  the  old  delightful  famil- 
iarity, instead  of  which  there  was  now  a  quiet  re- 
serve, a  gentle  dignity,  that  kept  him  at  a  dis- 
tance, and  while  increasing  his  admiration  for  the 
fair  girl,  made  him  sigh  for  the  old  childish  days 
when  she  was  scarcely  under  more  constraint  with 
him  than  with  her  father. 

Our  little  party  reached  Philadelphia  a  fort- 
night before  the  golden  wedding.  They  found 
the  handsome  city  residence  of  the  Allisons  occu- 
pied by  the  family,  and  full  of  the  pleasant  stir 
and  bustle  of  preparation  for  the  eventful  day 
which  was  to  witness  the  celebration  of  the 


358  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  wedding  of  Mr.  ana 
Mrs.  Ferris,  and  the  marriage  of  their  grand- 
daughter. 

Sophy,  while  paying  a  visit  to  Rose  in  her 
Southern  home,  had  won  the  heart  of  Harry  Car- 
rington,  and  they  had  been  engaged  a  year  or 
more.  Harry  had  once  indulged  in  a  secret  pen- 
chant for  Elsie;  but  now  he  would  not  have  ex- 
changed his  merry,  blue-eyed  Sophy  for  her,  or 
for  any  other  lady  in  the  land. 

The  young  couple  were  married  at  church,  very 
early  in  the  evening,  Elsie  acting  as  first  brides- 
maid. Eeturning  to  the  house  the  bridal  party 
were  ushered  into  the  drawing-room,  which  they 
found  richly  ornamented  with  evergreens  and 
flowers.  In  the  centre  rose  a  pyramid  of  rare  and 
beautiful  blossoms,  filling  the  air  with  their  deli- 
cious perfume.  Above  that  was  a  wide  arch  of 
evergreens  bearing  the  monograms  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ferris,  placed  between  the  dates  of  their 
marriage  and  of  this  anniversary. 

The  old  bride  and  groom  sat  together  beneath 
the  arch  on  one  side  of  the  pyramid,  while  the 
newly-married  pair  took  up  a  similar  position 
upon  the  other. 

Only  the  family  and  near  connections  were 
present  for  the  first  half  hour.  The  eldest  son  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ferris  made  a  short  address,  thank- 
ing his  aged  parents  for  their  unselfish  love  and 
devotion  to  their  offspring,  and  exhorting  the 
youthful  bride  and  groom  to  follow  in  their  foot- 
steps. Upon  the  conclusion  of  this  little  speech, 
gifts  were  presented  by  children  and  grandcktl- 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  359 

3ren,  and  letters  of  congratulation,  in  both  poetry 
and  prose,  from  absent  friends  were  read. 

After  this  the  doors  were  thrown  open  to  the 
invited  guests,  and  for  the  remainder  of  the  even- 
ing the  house  was  thronged  with  the  elite  of  the 
city,  and  with  friends  and  acquaintances  from 
other  parts  of  the  country. 

Among  the  latter  were  Adelaide  and  "Walter 
Dinsmore,  and  Mr.  Travilla  and  his  mother.  The 
last  named  was  seated  in  the  corner  of  a  sofa,  her 
eon  standing  by  her  side. 

He  heard  a  low-breathed  sigh,  noted  the  quiv- 
ering of  her  lip  and  the  gathering  tears  in  the 
gentle  eyes,  as  she  turned  them  upon  the  gray- 
haired  bride  and  groom,  and  he  knew  that  her 
thoughts  were  with  the  early  dead,  the  husband 
and  father  whose  image  he  could  scarcely  recall. 
His  heart  swelled  with  tender  pitying,  protecting 
love,  as  he  thought  of  her  long,  lonely  widowhood, 
and  of  all  that  she  had  been  and  still  was  to  him. 

But  her  gaze  wandered  to  the  pair  standing 
just  upon  the  threshold  of  married  life;  and  smil- 
ing up  at  him,  "  They  are  a  handsome  couple,"  she 
said;  "how  proud  and  happy  Harry  looks!  Ah, 
Edward,  when  will  your  turn  come?  " 

He  shook  his  head  with  a  rather  melancholy 
smile. 

"  It  is  your  own  fault,  I  am  sure,"  she  continued 
in  a  playful  tone;  "  there  are  plenty  of  pretty 
girls  and  charming  young  widows  who  would  like 
well  to  be  mistress  of  Ion,  and  I  am  growing  old, 
and  sometimes  feel  that  I  would  be  glad  to  resign 
the  sceptre  to  younger  hands." 


360  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

He  gave  her  a  glance  of  affectionate  concern. 
"  I  shall  look  for  a  housekeeper  immediately.  I 
ought  to  have  thought  of  it  before." 

"  No,  no,  it  is  a  daughter  I  want,"  she  returned 
still  playfully.  "I  have  often  wondered  how  it 
has  come  to  pass  that  my  warm-hearted  boy 
seems  so  perfectly  invulnerable  to  Cupid's 
darts." 

"All  seeming,  mother,"  he  answered  lightly, 
but  with  a  wistful  yearning  look  in  his  eyes  which 
were  fixed  upon  a  little  group  on  the  farther  side 
of  the  room;  "  to  tell  you  a  secret,"  and  he  bent 
down,  that  the  low-breathed  words  might  catch 
her  ear  alone,  "  I  have  been  hopelessly  in  love  for 
many  years." 

She  started  with  surprise, — for  there  was  the 
ring  of  deep,  earnest  feeling  beneath  the  jesting 
tone — then  following  the  direction  of  his  glance, 
and  perceiving  that  the  group  upon  which  it 
rested  was  composed  of  Adelaide  and  Elsie  Dins- 
more,  with  some  half  dozen  gentlemen  who  had 
gathered  about  them,  she  looked  greatly  pleased. 

"  And  why  hopeless?  "  she  asked. 

"Ah,  the  evidences  of  indifference  are  so 
patent  that  I  cannot  hope  she  will  ever  learn  to 
care  for  me." 

"And  pray  what  may  they  be?  " 

"  Constraint  and  reserve,  where  formerly  there 
•was  much  warmth  and  cordiality  of  manner." 

"  You  foolish  boy!  if  that  be  all,  you  may  take 
heart.  I  would  not  ask  for  better  symptoms. 
And  remember  the  old  proverb — Taint  heart 
itever  won  fair  lady.'  You  do  not  fear  that  she 
still  clings  to  the  old  love?  " 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  361 

«No,  ah  no!" 

"  I  never  saw  Adelaide  look  better  than  she 
does  to-night/'  was  Mrs.  Travilla's  next  remark; 
"  what  a  queenly  presence,  and  noble  face  she  has, 
and  how  very  lovely  our  little  Elsie  is!  She  seems 
to  have  gained  every  womanly  grace  without 
losing  a  particle  of  her  sweet  childish  simplicity 
and  freshness." 

Her  son  assented  with  a  slight  sigh,  and 
wandered  off  in  their  direction.  But  before  he 
reached  the  little  group,  Elsie  had  taken  Harold 
Allison's  arm  and  was  being  led  away  toward  the 
conservatory.  Harold  had  a  rare  plant  to  show 
her,  and  was  glad  of  the  excuse  to  get  her  to  him- 
self for  a  few  moments. 

For  the  rest  of  the  evening  Mr.  Travilla  de- 
voted himself  to  Adelaide,  his  mother  looking  on 
with  beaming  countenance,  and  thinking  how 
gladly  she  would  welcome  the  dear  girl  to  her 
heart  and  home. 

It  was  past  twelve  when  the  company  dispersed. 
Harry  and  his  bride  having  started  an  hour  before 
upon  their  wedding  tour. 

"  Get  to  bed  as  soon  as  you  can,  my  dear  child; 
you  are  looking  sadly  fatigued,"  Mr.  Dinsmore 
said,  putting  his  arm  about  his  daughter  as  she 
came  to  him  for  her  good-night  kiss. 

"  I  will,  papa/'  she  answered,  clinging  to  him 
with  more  than  her  usual  warmth  of  affection. 
"  Dear  papa,  what  could  I  ever  do  without  you 
to  love  me?" 

"  My  darling,  if  it  please  the  Lord,  may  we 
be  long  spared  to  each  other,"  he  whispered, 
clasping  her  close.  "  Now,  good-night,  and  may 


362  ELSIE'S   GIRLHOOD. 

He  bless  yon,  and  keep  you,  and  ever  cause  His 
face  to  shine  upon  you." 

Elsie  turned  away  with  eyes  full  of  tears, 
and  her  pillow  was  bedewed  with  them  ere 
she  slept  that  night.  But  the  morning  found 
her  apparently  her  own  bright,  sunny  self 
again. 

She  was  in  her  mamma's  dressing-room  soon 
after  breakfast,  chatting  with  her  and  Adelaide, 
Mr.  Dinsmore  sitting  by  with  Eosebud  on  his 
knee.  Of  course  they  were  discussing  the  wed- 
ding, how  lovely  the  bride  and  her  attendants 
looked,  how  handsome  the  groom,  how  tasteful 
and  becoming  was  the  dress  of  this  lady  and  that, 
how  attentive  was  Mr.  Such-an-one  to  Miss  So- 
and-so,  etc.,  etc.  Rose  making  a  little  jesting 
allusion  to  "  the  devotion  of  a  certain  gentleman 
to  Adelaide;"  and  saying  how  delighted  she  was; 
nothing  could  please  her  better  than  for  them 
to  fancy  each  other;  when  in  the  midst  of  it  all, 
a  servant  came  up  with  a  message.  "  Mr.  Tra- 
villa  was  in  the  drawing-room  asking  for  Miss 
Dinsmore, — Miss  Adelaide." 

She  went  down  at  once,  and  as  the  door  closed 
upon  her,  Eose  turned  to  her  husband  with  the 
laughing  remark,  "  It  would  be  a  splendid  match! 
they  seem  just  made  for  each  other.  I  wonder 
they  didn't  find  it  out  long  ago,  and  I  begin  to 
quite  set  my  heart  upon  it." 

"  Better  not,  my  dear,  lest  they  disappoint  you, 
and  allow  me  to  advise  you  to  let  match-making 
alone;  'tis  a  dangerous  business.  Elsie,  my  child, 
you  are  looking  pale  this  morning;  late  hours  do 
not  agree  with  you.  I  think  I  shall  have  to  take 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  363 

to  sending  you  to  bed  at  nine  o'clock  again,  when 
once  I  get  you  home." 

"Won't  ten  be  early  enough,  papa?"  she  an- 
swered with  a  faint  smile,  a  vivid  color  suddenly 
suffusing  her  cheek. 

"  Well,  we  will  see  about  it.  But  I  can't  have 
you  looking  so.  Go  and  put  on  your  hat  and 
shawl,  and  I  will  take  you  and  mamma  out  for  an 
airing?" 

"  Looking  so?  "  said  Kose,  with  an  arch  glance 
at  the  glowing  cheeks,  as  she  stooped  to  take 
Rosebud  in  her  arms,  "  she  is  not  pale  now." 

"No,  certainly  not,"  he  said.  "Come  back, 
daughter,"  for  Elsie  had  risen  to  obey  his  order, 
and  was  moving  toward  the  door,  "come  here 
and  tell  me  what  ails  you?  " 

"  I  am  quite  well,  papa,  only  a  little  tired  from 
last  night,  I  believe,"  she  answered,  as  he  took 
her  hands  in  his  and  looked  searchingly  into  her 
face. 

"  I  hope  that  is  all,"  he  said  a  little  anxiously. 
"You  must  lie  down  and  try  to  get  a  nap  when 
we  return  from  our  drive;  and  remember  you 
must  be  in  bed  by  ten  o'clock  to-night." 

"  I  shall  do  just  as  my  father  bids  me,"  she 
said,  smiling  up  at  him,  "  my  dear  father  who  is 
so  kindly  careful  of  me."  Then  as  he  let  go  her 
hands,  she  tripped  lightly  from  the  room. 

Mr.  Travilla  had  come  on  an  errand  from  his 
mother;  she  begged  Adelaide's  advice  and  assist- 
ance in  a  little  shopping. 

Adelaide  was  at  leisure,  and  at  once  donned 
bonnet  and  shawl  and  went  with  him  to  the 
Girard  House,  where  the  old  lady  awaited  tiieir 


364  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

coming,  and  the  three  spent  the  remainder  of  the 
morning  in  attending  to  Mrs.  Travilla's  pur- 
chases and  visiting  the  Academy  of  Fine  Arts. 
In  driving  down  Chestnut  street,  the  Dinsmores 
passed  them  on  their  way  to  the  Academy. 

Adelaide  did  not  return  to  Mr.  Allison's  to 
dinner,  but  Mr.  Travilla  called  presently  after, 
to  say  that  she  had  dined  with  his  mother  and 
himself  at  the  hotel,  and  would  not  return  until 
bed-time,  as  they  were  all  going  to  hear  Gough 
lecture  that  evening. 

He  was  speaking  to  Mrs.  Allison.  Several  of 
the  family  were  in  the  room,  Elsie  among  them. 
She  was  slipping  quietly  away,  when  he  turned 
toward  her,  saying:  "  Would  you  not  like  to  go 
with  us,  my  little  friend?  I  think  you  would 
find  it  entertaining,  and  we  would  be  glad  to 
have  you." 

"Thank  you,  sir,  you  are  very  kind,  but  a 
prior  engagement  compels  me  to  decline,"  she 
answered,  glancing  smilingly  at  her  father. 

"  She  has  not  been  looking  well  to-day,  and  I 
have  ordered  her  to  go  early  to  bed  to-night," 
Mr.  Dinsmore  said. 

"  Ah,  that  is  right! "  murmured  Mr.  Travilla, 
rising  to  take  leave. 

The  Travillas  staid  a  week  longer  in  the  city. 
During  that  time  Adelaide  went  out  with  them 
quite  frequently,  but  Elsie  saw  scarcely  anything 
of  her  old  friend;  which  was,  however,  all  her 
own  fault,  as  she  studiously  avoided  him;  muck 
to  his  grief  and  disturbance.  He  coul'd  not  im- 
agine what  he  had  done  to  so  completely  estrange 
ber  from  him. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  365 

Mr.  Dinsmore  felt  in  some  haste  to  be  at  homa 
again,  but  Mrs.  Allison  pleaded  so  hard  for  an- 
other week  that  he  consented  to  delay.  Adelaide 
and  Walter  went  with  the  Travillas,  and  wanted 
to  take  Elsie  with  them,  but  he  would  not  hear 
of  such  an  arrangement;  while  she  said  very  de- 
cidedly that  she  could  not  think  of  being  sepa- 
rated from  her  father. 

She  seemed  gay  and  happy  when  with  the 
family,  or  alone  with  him  or  Rose;  but  coming 
upon  her  unexpectedly  in  her  dressing-room,  the 
day  after  the  others  had  left,  he  found  her  in 
tears. 

"  Why,  my  darling,  what  can  be  the  matter?  " 
he  asked,  taking  her  in  his  arms. 

"  Nothing,  papa,"  she  said,  hastily  wiping  away 
her  tears  and  hiding  her  blushing  face  on  hia 
breast — "  I — I  believe  I'm  a  little  homesick/' 

"  Ah,  then,  why  did  you  not  ask  to  go  with  the 
others?" 

"And  leave  you?  Ah,  do  you  not  know  that 
my  father  is  more — a  great  deal  more  than  half 
of  home  to  me?  "she  answered,  hugging  him  close. 
"  And  you  wouldn't  have  let  me  go?  " 

"No,  indeed,  not  I;  but  Fm  afraid  I  really 
ought  to  read  you  a  lecture.  I  daresay  you  miss 
Sophy  very  much,  but  still  there  are  young  peo- 
ple enough  left  in  the  house  to  keep  you  from 
feeling  very  dull  and  lonely,  I  should  think;  and 
as  you  have  all  your  dear  ones  about  you,  and  ex- 
pect to  go  home  in  a  few  days " 

"I  ought  to  be  cheerful  and  happy.  I  know 
it,  papa/'  she  said,  as  he  paused,  leaving  his  sen- 
tence unfinished,  "  and  I'm  afraid  I'm  very  wicked 


366  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

and  ungrateful.  But  please  don't  be  vexed  witE 
me,  and  I  will  try  to  banish  this  feeling  of  de- 
pression." 

"  I  fear  you  are  not  well,"  he  said,  turning  her 
face  to  the  light  and  examining  it  with  keen  scru- 
tiny; "  tell  me,  are  you  ill?  " 

"  No,  papa,  I  think  not.  Don't  be  troubled 
about  me." 

"  I  shall  send  for  a  doctor  if  this  depression 
lasts,"  he  said  decidedly,  "  for  I  shall  have  to  con- 
elude  that  it  must  arise  from  some  physical  cause, 
since  I  know  of  no  other;  and  it  is  so  foreign  to 
the  nature  of  my  sunny-tempered  little  girl." 

He  saw  no  more  of  it,  though  he  watched  her 
carefully. 

Great  was  the  rejoicing  at  the  Oaks  when  at 
last  the  family  returned.  Adelaide  was  there  to 
welcome  them,  and  Elsie  thought  she  had  never 
seen  her  look  so  youthful,  pretty,  and  happy, 
Chloe  remarked  upon  it  while  preparing  her 
young  mistress  for  bed,  adding  that  the  report  in 
the  kitchen  was  that  Miss  Adelaide  and  Mr.  Tra- 
.villa  were  engaged,  and  would  probably  marry 
very  soon. 

Elsie  made  no  remark,  but  her  heart  seemed 
to  sink  like  lead  in  her  bosom.  "  Why  am  I 
grieving  so?  what  is  there  in  this  news  to  make 
me  sorry?"  she  asked  herself  as  she  wetted  her 
pillow  with  her  tears.  "  I'm  sure  I'm  very  glad 
that  dear  Aunt  Adie  is  so  happy,  and — and  I  used 
often  to  wish  he  was  my  uncle."  Yet  the  tears 
would  not  cease  their  flow  till  she  had  wept  her- 
self to  sleep. 

But  she  seemed  bright  and  gay  as  usual  in  the 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  367 

morning,  and  meeting  her  parents  at  the  break- 
fast-table, thought  they  looked  as  though  some- 
thing had  pleased  them  greatly. 

It  was  Rose  who  told  her  the  news,  as  an  hour 
later  they  sauntered  around  the  garden  together, 
noting  the  changes  which  had  taken  place  there 
in  their  absence. 

"  I  have  something  to  tell  you,  dear,"  Rose  said, 
and  Elsie  shivered  slightly,  knowing  what  was 
coming;  "  something  that  pleases  your  father  and 
me  very  much,  and  I  think  will  make  you  glad 
too.  Can  you  guess  what  it  is?  " 

"About  Aunt  Adelaide,  mamma?"  Elsie 
stooped  over  a  plant,  thus  concealing  her  face 
from  view,  and  so  controlled  her  voice  that  it  be- 
trayed no  emotion.  "Yet;  I  know;  she  is  en- 
gaged." 

"And  you  are  pleased  with  the  match,  of 
course;  I  knew  you  would  be.  You  used  so  often 
to  wish  that  he  was  your  uncle,  and  now  he  soon 
will  be.  Your  papa  and  I  are  delighted;  we  think 
there  could  not  have  been  a  more  suitable  match 
for  either." 

"  I  am  very  glad  for  her — dear  Aunt  Adie — 
and  for — for  him  too,"  Elsie  said,  her  voice  grow- 
ing a  little  husky  at  the  last. 

But  Rose  was  speaking  to  the  gardener,  and 
did  not  notice  it,  and  Elsie  wandered  on,  pres- 
ently turned  into  the  path  leading  to  her  arbor 
and  seeking  its  welcome  privacy,  there  relieved 
her  full  heart  by  a  flood  of  tears. 

Mr.  Travilla  called  that  day,  but  saw  nothing 
of  his  "  little  friend,"  and  in  consequence  went 
away  very  sorrowful,  and  pondering  deeply  the 


368  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

question  what  he  could  have  done  to  alienate  her 
affections  so  entirely  from  him. 

The  next  day  he  came  again,  quite  resolved 
to  learn  in  what  he  had  offended,  and  was  over- 
joyed at  hearing  that  she  was  alone  in  her  favour- 
ite arbor. 

He  sought  her  there  and  found  her  in  tears. 
She  hastily  wiped  them  away  on  perceiving  his 
approach,  hut  could  not  remove  their  traces. 

"  Good-morning,"  she  said,  rising  and  giving 
him  her  hand;  but  with  the  reserved  manner 
that  had  now  become  habitual,  instead  of  the 
pleasant  ease  and  familiarity  of  earlier  days; 
"  were  you  looking  for  papa?  I  think  he  is  some- 
where on  the  plantation." 

"  No,  my  dear  child,  it  was  you  I  wished  to 
see." 

"Me,  Mr.  Tra villa?"  and  she  cast  down  her 
eyes,  while  her  cheek  crimsoned;  for  he  was  look- 
ing straight  into  them  with  his,  so  wistful  and 
tender,  so  full  of  earnest,  questioning,  sorrowful 
entreaty,  that  she  knew  not  how  to  meet  their 
gaze. 

"  Yes,  you,  my  little  friend,  for  I  can  no  longer 
endure  this  torturing  anxiety.  Will  you  not  tell 
me,  dear  child,  what  I  have  done  to  hurt  or 
grieve  you  so?  " 

"  I — I'm  not  hurt  or  gri — you  have  always  been 
most  kind,"  she  stammered,  "  most — But  why 
should  you  think  I — I  was " 

The  rest  of  the  sentence  was  lost  in  a  burst 
of  tears,  and  covering  her  burning  cheeks  with 
her  hands,  she  sank  down  upon  the  seat  from 
which  she  had  risen  to  greet  him. 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  369 

"  My  dear  child,  I  did  not  mean  to  pain  yon 
so;  do  not  weep,  it  breaks  my  heart  to  see  it.  I 
was  far  from  intending  to  blame  you,  or  complain 
of  your  treatment,"  he  said  in  an  agitated  tone, 
and  bending  over  her  in  tender  concern,  "  I  only 
wanted  to  understand  my  error  in  order  that 
I  might  retrieve  it,  and  be  no  longer  deprived  of 
your  dear  society.  Oh,  little  Elsie,  if  you  only 
knew  how  I  love  you;  how  I  have  loved  you,  and 
only  you,  all  these  years — as  child  and  as  woman 
— how  I  have  waited  and  longed,  hoping  even 
against  hope,  that  some  day  I  might  be  able  to 
win  the  priceless  treasure  of  your  young  heart." 

Intense,  glad  surprise  made  her  drop  her  hands 
and  look  up  at  him.  "But  are  you  not — I — I 
thought — I  understood — Aunt  Adelaide " 

"Your  Aunt  Adelaide! "  he  cried,  scarcely  less 
astonished  than  herself,  "  can  it  be  that  you  do 
not  know — that  you  have  not  heard  of  her  en- 
gagement to  Edward  Allison?  " 

A  light  broke  upon  Elsie  at  that  question,  and 
her  face  grew  radiant  with  happiness;  there  was 
one  flash  of  exceeding  joy  in  the  soft  eyes  that 
met  his,  and  then  they  sought  the  ground. 

"  Oh,  my  darling,  could  you?  is  it — can  it 

He  took  her  in  his  arms,  folded  her  close  to 
his  heart,  calling  her  by  every  tender  and  en- 
dearing name,  and  she  made  no  effort  to  escape, 
or  to  avoid  his  caresses;  did  nothing  but  hide  her 
blushing  face  on  his  breast,  and  weep  tears  of 
deep  joy  and  thankfulness. 

It  might  have  been  half  an  hour  or  an  hour 
afterward  (they  reckoned  nothing  of  the  flight  of 


370  ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

time)  that  Mr.  Dinsmore,  coining  in  search  of  his 
daughter,  found  them  seated  side  by  side,  Mr. 
Travilla  with  his  arm  about  Elsie's  waist,  and 
her  hand  in  his.  So  absorbed  were  they  in  each 
other  that  they  had  not  heard  the  approaching 
footsteps. 

It  was  a  state  of  affairs  Mr.  Dinsmore  was  far 
from  expecting,  and  pausing  upon  the  threshold, 
he  stood  spell-bound  with  astonishment.  "  El- 
sie! "  he  said  a,t  length. 

Both  started  and  looked  up  at  the  sound  of 
his  voice,  and  Mr.  Travilla,  still  holding  fast  to 
his  new-found  treasure,  said  in  tones  tremulous 
with  joy,  "Will  you  give  her  to  me,  Dinsmore? 
she  is  willing  now." 

"Ah,  is  it  so,  Elsie,  my  darling?"  faltered 
the  father,  opening  his  arms  to  receive  her  as  she 
flew  to  him.  "  Is  it  so?  have  I  lost  the  first  place 
in  my  daughter's  heart?"  he  repeated,  straining 
her  to  his  breast,  and  pressing  his  lips  again  and 
again  to  her  fair  brow. 

"  Dear  papa,  I  never  loved  you  better,"  she 
murmured,  clinging  more  closely  to  him.  "  I 
shall  never  cease  to  be  your  own  dear  daughter; 
can  never  have  any  father  but  you — my  own  dear, 
dear  papa.  And  you  will  not  be  left  without  a 
little  girl  to  pet  and  fondle;  darling  Kosebud  will 
fill  my  place." 

"  She  has  her  own;  but  neither  she  nor  any 
one  else  can  ever  fill  yours,  my  darling,"  he  an- 
swered with  a  quivering  lip.  "  How  can  I — how 
can  I  give  you  up  ?  my  first-born,  my  Elsie's  child 
and  mine." 

"You  will  give  her  to  me,  my  friend?"  re- 


ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD.  371 

peated  Travilla.  "  I  will  cherish  her  as  the  apple 
of  my  eye;  I  shall  never  take  her  away  from  you, 
you  may  see  her  every  day.  You  love  her  ten- 
derly, but  she  is  dearer  to  me  than  my  own  soul." 

"If  you  have  won  her  heart,  I  cannot  refuse 
you  her  hand.  Say,  Elsie,  my  daughter,  is  it  so?  " 

"  Yes,  papa,"  she  whispered,  turning  her  blush- 
ing face  away  from  his  keen,  searching  gaze. 

"  I  can  hardly  bear  to  do  it.  My  precious  one, 
I  don't  know  how  to  resign  you  to  another,"  he 
said  in  a  voice  low  and  tremulous  with  emotion, 
and  holding  her  close  to  his  heart;  "  but  since  it 
is  your  wish,  I  must.  Take  her,  my  friend,  she 
is  yours.  But  God  do  so  to  you,  and  more  also, 
if  ever  you  show  her  aught  brut  love  and  tender- 
ness." 

He  put  her  hand  into  Travilla's,  and  turned  to 
go.  But  she  clung  to  him  with  the  other. 
"  Yours  too,  papa,"  she  said,  looking  up  into  his 
sad  face  with  eyes  that  were  full  of  tears,  "al- 
ways your  own  daughter  who  loves  you  better 
than  life." 

"Yes,  darling,  and  who  is  as  dearly  loved  in 
return,"  he  said,  stooping  to  press  another  kiss  on 
the  ruby  lips.  "  Let  us  be  happy,  for  we  are 
not  to  part."  Then  walking  quickly  away,  he 
left  them  alone  together. 


University  of  California  Library 
Los  Angeles 

This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 

to  DATE  SEIJIT 

NOV  1  8 1996 


DATE  RECEIVED 


UCLA  URUll|A- 


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